Article published on Wednesday, July 01, 2009
American Cancer Society's Mission Statement: The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
Relay For Life was started twenty-five years ago in Tacoma, Washington, by Dr. Gordy Klatt. Dr. Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. In May 1985, he spend a grueling twenty-four hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for thirty minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
Today, Relay for Life events take place in more than 5,000 communities and over eighteen countries, bringing 3.5 million people together to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and to remember loved ones lost to the disease. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing. Relay For Life also provides a way for people to fight back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.
Last year, Relay For Life events in the Pee Dee (Darlington, Dillon, Florence and Marion) raised over $542,000 dollars. The event begins with a powerful and inspiring "Survivors Lap." In 2008, over 730 cancer survivors in the Pee Dee participated in the four walks. The registration for survivors is free and they receive a survivor-event T-shirt, hat and lapel pin. Each event has a "Survivor Reception" beforehand or the night of the walk. We want as many survivors as possible to attend this event -- afterall, it's for them!
Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the local American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Teams do most of their fundraising before the walk with everything from pageants, poker runs, golf tournaments to bake sales and car washes.
Each Relay has entertainment all night with local performances, games and team fundraisers at their campsites. The Relay is open to the public and we invite everyone to come out and celebrate with the participants.
Our luminary ceremony is held at 9 or 10 PM (depending on the Relay). This is a very moving ceremony! We turn off all the lights and let all the luminary bags shine. The bags are "In Honor" of anyone who is battling or survived cancer or "In Memory" of anyone who lost their battle. The luminaries are placed around the track. It is really beautiful.
The Chairpersons for this year's Relay For Life include Michelle Bailey, a six-year ovarian cancer survivor. Michelle works as the Marketing Manager at Health Facilities Federal Credit Union. She, her husband Chris and their ten-year-old son, Austin, live in Florence.
Lynda Waller is a sixteen-year melanoma survivor. Lynda is the Administrative Director of the Cancer Program at Carolinas Hospital System. She has two sons and has lived in Florence for four years.
A seventeen-year breast cancer survivor, Debbie Quick is a Registered Nurse at McLeod Health in Interventional Radiology. She and her husband, Larry, live in Florence and have a daughter, Ashley (23).
These ladies lead the team captain meetings, are spokespersons for Relay in the community and recruit new teams and survivors. Anyone who has battled cancer is a hero, but getting involved by promoting awareness and early detection, fundraising for research and being advocates in their community make these ladies extra special.
If any readers would like to participate in this year's Relay For Life, please call our office at 843-536-0962 or visit our South Carolina website, www.screlayfor-life.org. The locations and dates are: Florence, April 24th-25th, 7 PM at Freedom Florence; Darlington, April 24th-25th, 7 PM at Byerly Park in Hartsville; Dillon, May 15th-16th, 6 PM at City of Dillon Wellness Center; Marion, May 1st-2nd, 6 PM at Withlacoochee Park.
Note: The Ladies are wearing "Fight Like A Girl" T-shirts. These shirts are available for a $10 donation and come in sizes Youth Small through 3XL. Contact our office at 843-536-0962 for more information.
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Article published on Wednesday, July 01, 2009
The Chairpersons of the Relay for Life
American Cancer Society's Mission Statement: The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
Relay For Life was started twenty-five years ago in Tacoma, Washington, by Dr. Gordy Klatt. Dr. Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. In May 1985, he spend a grueling twenty-four hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for thirty minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
Today, Relay for Life events take place in more than 5,000 communities and over eighteen countries, bringing 3.5 million people together to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and to remember loved ones lost to the disease. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing. Relay For Life also provides a way for people to fight back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.
Last year, Relay For Life events in the Pee Dee (Darlington, Dillon, Florence and Marion) raised over $542,000 dollars. The event begins with a powerful and inspiring "Survivors Lap." In 2008, over 730 cancer survivors in the Pee Dee participated in the four walks. The registration for survivors is free and they receive a survivor-event T-shirt, hat and lapel pin. Each event has a "Survivor Reception" beforehand or the night of the walk. We want as many survivors as possible to attend this event -- afterall, it's for them!
Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the local American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Teams do most of their fundraising before the walk with everything from pageants, poker runs, golf tournaments to bake sales and car washes.
Each Relay has entertainment all night with local performances, games and team fundraisers at their campsites. The Relay is open to the public and we invite everyone to come out and celebrate with the participants.
Our luminary ceremony is held at 9 or 10 PM (depending on the Relay). This is a very moving ceremony! We turn off all the lights and let all the luminary bags shine. The bags are "In Honor" of anyone who is battling or survived cancer or "In Memory" of anyone who lost their battle. The luminaries are placed around the track. It is really beautiful.
The Chairpersons for this year's Relay For Life include Michelle Bailey, a six-year ovarian cancer survivor. Michelle works as the Marketing Manager at Health Facilities Federal Credit Union. She, her husband Chris and their ten-year-old son, Austin, live in Florence.
Lynda Waller is a sixteen-year melanoma survivor. Lynda is the Administrative Director of the Cancer Program at Carolinas Hospital System. She has two sons and has lived in Florence for four years.
A seventeen-year breast cancer survivor, Debbie Quick is a Registered Nurse at McLeod Health in Interventional Radiology. She and her husband, Larry, live in Florence and have a daughter, Ashley (23).
These ladies lead the team captain meetings, are spokespersons for Relay in the community and recruit new teams and survivors. Anyone who has battled cancer is a hero, but getting involved by promoting awareness and early detection, fundraising for research and being advocates in their community make these ladies extra special.
If any readers would like to participate in this year's Relay For Life, please call our office at 843-536-0962 or visit our South Carolina website, www.screlayfor-life.org. The locations and dates are: Florence, April 24th-25th, 7 PM at Freedom Florence; Darlington, April 24th-25th, 7 PM at Byerly Park in Hartsville; Dillon, May 15th-16th, 6 PM at City of Dillon Wellness Center; Marion, May 1st-2nd, 6 PM at Withlacoochee Park.
Note: The Ladies are wearing "Fight Like A Girl" T-shirts. These shirts are available for a $10 donation and come in sizes Youth Small through 3XL. Contact our office at 843-536-0962 for more information.
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