Youngstown State University’s Relay For Life — traditionally the first of the American Cancer Society’s Relay season — was held online and raised $33,000.

Other Mahoning Valley Relays also may being going the online route or making other adjustments because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The trademark Relay For Life events draw large crowds and have teams walking during designated times working to raise money for the American Cancer Society. All that has changed for 2020 and is requiring some adjustments for upcoming Relays.

Daniel Rodriguez, income support specialist for the American Cancer Society, said all in-person events, including Relays, have been suspended through June 30.

“Every day, things change. We are listening to the recommendations of the governors. Most Relays are held in the spring and summer, so there are some that have been postponed and rescheduled, and some yet to be determined when they will be held,” he said.

Rodriquez said he and other ACS staff are working remotely and keeping up with any changes that take place.

“Things may change in June as more businesses open and events are allowed to be held. We will wait and see what will be allowed,” he said.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton have extended stay-at-home protocols through May 29 with modifications because some businesses are allowed to start opening throughout the month. Events of more than 10 people are not permitted while the order is in effect.

Rodriquez said one route some Relays are taking is virtually, which YSU did on April 18.

Rachell Rottman, a senior at YSU, was co-event coordinator with Devan Snyder, a sophomore at YSU, for the YSU Relay online.

Rottman said the Relay still had many of the events that Relays normally do, such as an opening ceremony, luminary tribute and survivors lap.

“What we did was recorded some parts ahead of time and then broadcast them online. We shared pictures, videos and postings on Facebook. We recorded the survivors’ stories, which we shared during the survivors lap. During the opening ceremony, we talked about the mission of the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life,” Rottman said.

She said the Relay also included a luminary ceremony done by Caitlyn Risley, who lit 100 luminaries set up in her driveway.

“We had a detailed schedule of events that we either showed in some way or had people talking about. The luminary segment was amazing and a nice tribute to people who had battled cancer. We recorded a lot of segments that we shared with everyone watching,” Rottman said.

Rottman said she and Snyder understood the event would be a challenge to put together online since, at the time, YSU announced all events were being canceled and the university was closed.

“We at first were not sure if we were even going to be able to have it. I was amazed at all we were able to do in such as short period of time. It would have been great to have had it on campus and to see all the survivors, but we recognized them online and reached many of the family members who participate each year. We reached many people who were able to share comments and share postings,” Rottman said.

She said the virtual Relay raised $33,242, with $8,000 raised in the few weeks leading up to the event.

Local upcoming Relays include:

∫ Warren Relay For Life, one of the largest in the state, set for Aug. 1 at St. Demetrios Center grounds in Warren. Normally, the Warren Relay is held Mothers Day weekend around Courthouse Square;

∫ Liberty / Girard / McDonald Relay For Life, June 13, Woodland Park in McDonald;

∫ Niles Relay For Life, which is usually held at the Niles Wellness Center in June, has not set a new date;

∫ Mahoning County Relay For Life, will be rescheduled for a later date on the Canfield Village Green.

Each Relay has an ACS coordinator who will keep them updated on changes. Updates on when Relays may be rescheduled are at relayforlife.org.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com