Relay for Life kicks off sign-up period

Hart

That's the theme for the 2010 Relay, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. April 30 at Dyersburg State Community College.

The Relay for Life is an all-night party and fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. Teams raise money in the months preceding the event and then have team members walking along a luminary-lined path that night. Contests, entertainment and memorial moments are held throughout the night.

About 50 persons attended the kickoff last week - a time when teams were invited to begin signing up. ACS community representative Ben Littlepage said five teams registered during the kickoff.

"We look to have just about every team from last year back and an outpouring of other groups that want to participate," he said. "We encourage anyone who wants to participate to come" to the next team captain meeting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the DSCC Student Center.

Team captain meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month through April in the DSCC Student Center. Relay Committee meetings will follow.

Anyone who wants to volunteer for a committee or to form a team is asked to call Relay Chairman Lindsey Ford at 589-2403 or Megan Madden at 445-1917.

The goal for the 2010 Relay is to get as many participants as possible. That was the goal earlier this year, and an estimated 1,500-2,000 attended the Relay on May 15. The Relay netted $111,521. Proceeds go to cancer society-funded research, educational programs, patient services and advocacy.

Breast cancer survivor Gail Hart of Alamo stressed the importance of supporting Relay for Life during the kickoff. The 56-year-old said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2008.

"I thought my world was crumbling," she said. "I underwent eight chemotherapy treatments every two weeks. My last treatment was Sept. 28, 2008, and now I can boast that I am one-year cancer free."

"One of the things that I can remember my oncologist stating to me in the very beginning was that 10 to 15 years ago breast cancer was considered a death sentence but now it has a 95 percent recovery rate," she said. "I contribute this to the research that is provided through the funding of Relay for Life. The Relay is so important to the funding of the American Cancer Society. It is so important that we all support Relay in every way that we can.

"Not only does Relay support the research funding but the American Cancer Society offers other programs that are of importance to the recovery process. The "Look Good ... Feel Better" program will be celebrating its 15th anniversary of helping women deal with the appearance-related side effects from the chemo treatments. The "Reach to Recovery" is celebrating around 35 years and is another program offered through the American Cancer Society that pairs survivors with newly diagnosed patients for support and friendship.

"I have always participated in Relay ever since Crockett County started. I even remember as a child going door to door collecting for the American Cancer Society but now it has taken on a bigger and more important meaning to me than ever."

Teams participating in the 2010 Relay are encouraged to select a travel destination theme and to use that destination when decorating their tents and planning their fund-raisers.

To emphasize the theme, Relay Committee members dressed in costumes. Megan Madden won for her "American tourist in Mexico" attire.

Security Bank also won a special award for having the most team members present during the kickoff.

A special competition also is planned this year among the industry and school teams. The teams that raise the most money and have the most participation will be awarded a Relay trophy. Finley Elementary School and Briggs & Stratton won the trophies this year.