“We Can’t Stop Now” Message Rings Clear At Relay For Life Kick-Off By Sherrie Norris “We can’t stop now” was the basic idea behind Monday night’s event to kick off a new Relay For Life in Watauga County. Approximately 100 people gathered in the fellowship hall of Deerfield United Methodist Church to officially announce the start of Relay 2007, an event that has captured local, as well as national attention, since its beginning in 1994. Suzanne Wright, area coordinator from the American Cancer Society’s Greensboro office, addressed Monday night’s audience, and shared a touching story of survivorship. Photos by Sherrie Norris Sue Tilson, a 28-year cancer survivor shared a personal testimony of how she learned that recent research was instrumental in the detection of her daughter’s breast cancer gene. Relay For Life Needs YOU! By Sherrie Norris It’s hard to miss hearing about Relay For Life in Watauga County- turn on the radio, television or open up the newspaper between now and June, and you’re sure to hear all about it. But maybe you really do not know about the driving force behind the fundraiser, maybe you’ve never been faced with the cancer diagnosis and maybe your family is one of the rare among us that has not had to hear the frightening words, “You have cancer.” Perhaps, like many others, you would like to help, but just don’t know how to get started or where your areas of interest or expertise might best be utilized and/or needed. We want to make your first steps to Relay for Life as easy as possible. Here are a few ways you can get involved: · Decide to Participate Relay brings people together from all walks of life, young and old alike, with the common goal of eliminating cancer. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay. Join the fight against cancer today! · Become a Team Captain Fighting cancer is a team effort. The strength of people coming together for a common cause is greater than the strength of one. Call Sue Tilson at (828) 264-2558 to talk about forming your team – it could be made up of family members, friends, co-workers, etc. · Be A Generous Donor / Corporate Sponsor Relay For Life is a great way for local businesses and corporations to demonstrate their commitment to fighting cancer in the community. Call Glenda Hodges at (828) 264-8529. · Survivorship Activities Please plan to be among other honorary guests in the Survivors Lap, which is the actual beginning of Relay For Life. Your strength and courage help the community see that cancer survivorship is real—that we are making progress in the battle against cancer- and that, as Sharon Trivette, co-chair of the event says, “We can’t stop now!” Call Mary Beth Jones at (828) 297-4466 to be included not only in the walk, but also in the Survivor Dinner and Celebration of Life to be held Thursday, June 7, 2007 at Greenway Baptist Church Family Life Center. (This is a huge event donated in its entirety by Outback Steakhouse, at a cost of approximately $6,000!) · Entertainment The High Country is blessed with a multitude of talented individuals. If you or your group would like to help out, contact Paula Ward (828) 262-2140 or Rusty Blanton, (828) 262-1116 · Volunteer Relay For Life is a community gathering, where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. There are countless ways your time and talents may be used before, during and after Relay for Life. Contact any of the above committee chairs to be a part of this life-changing event. For answers to your questions that may not be addressed here on how you can help make this the best year ever for Watauga County Relay, contact Sharon Trivette at (828) 297-1691. “Watauga County’s Relay for Life is one to envy,” stated Cleveland County Relay Co-Chair/proponent Jeff Ross, in an earlier interview with the Mountain Times. Scheduled as guest speaker for Monday’s event, Ross was injured in an automobile accident over the weekend and was unable to fulfill the speaking engagement. However, in his absence, Suzanne Wright, area coordinator from the American Cancer Society’s Greensboro office, addressed the audience, and shared a touching story of survivorship in which a young man from neighboring Caldwell County credits his success to the money raised for research through Relay for Life. In turn, he now focuses his time and attention on young cancer patients at Brenner’s Children’s Hospital in Winston Salem, the same place he was diagnosed years earlier. Sue Tilson, a 28-year cancer survivor and long-time supporter of ACS and Relay, also shared a personal testimony of how her family has dealt with and continues to deal with cancer, and the amazing way she learned that recent research has affected the latest case involving her daughter’s detection of the breast cancer gene. By calling the familiar 800-ACS-2345, she was told by a medical professional on the other end that “Absolutely” Relay funds played a major part in the gene discovery. Tilson emphasized, “Little did we know that what my kids have helped work for all these years would hit so close to home . . . We are so thankful our money went to fund this research.” Glenda Hodges and Sharon Trivette, event co-chairs, continued to impress upon those gathered, as they do so often in the community, that Relay for Life brings the American Cancer Society one step closer to finding a cure for a disease that affects each of us in one way or another, sooner or later. They asked that one out of every three in attendance stand, in an effort to demonstrate the prevalence of cancer diagnosis in our world today. The simple illustration had a profound effect on the audience. Hodges shared another emotional and thought-provoking reflection: “This is not my Relay, it is not Sharon’s Relay, but it is your Relay . . . it’s your mother’s Relay, your father’s Relay, your son’s Relay and your daughter’s Relay . . . It’s for those no longer with us, those not yet diagnosed . . . and this Relay is so they won’t have to be.” Each member of the Relay Committee was recognized, as well as last year’s corporate sponsors, those who provide in-kind contributions and others who provided food and drinks for the kick-off. A challenge was given to each one present to express appreciation to those businesses for going the extra mile to make Relay possible in Watauga County. “We could not have Relay if it were not for these generous businesses who help us out every year,” Trivette stated. “We would like to also thank Deerfield Church for the use of this facility for tonight’s celebration and to Greenway Baptist Church for agreeing to host our upcoming Team Captains Meetings and Survivor Dinner.” Each team captain was encouraged to take back to their team the excitement of the evening and the reason for Relay, and to prepare for another banner year. To date, 92 teams have come aboard, just eight shy of Sue Tilson’s goal as Team Recruiter. Discussions among those gathered proved that everyone is eager to put their best foot forward - some already planning their individual fund-raisers – yard sales, suppers, and a “flock” of other special events. Last year, 88 teams comprised of over 1,000 members in Watauga County, raised a total of $286,553.19 (adjusted amount of $283,497), which included $21,000 raised by ASU in its Relay. Watauga received the #2 national ranking in its population group of 40,000-50,000. At year’s end, Watauga County was awarded the coveted “Power of Hope” Award in its population group for having the highest participation of cancer survivors in the country, with 583. Hodges related that the number of registered survivors has now risen to 600. Trivette announced that a generous donation of $9,335.15 from Tanger Outlets was “already in the bank – a great start.” Tanger’s annual corporate contributions come through their Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, held each October. Members of the general Relay committee were recognized, approximately 36 in number, representing eight sub-committees from entertainment to logistics, Relay Store, and everything in between. Participants of Monday’s kick-off were asked to jointly recite the ACS mission statement, which is, “The ACS 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.” Trivette reminded those present that the ACS is here “all day, every day,” just as its banner proclaims. “It’s not just about a spring fundraiser and walking around the track in June.” She mentioned recent headlines from ACS indicating that for the second year in a row, deaths due to cancer have decreased. “It proves what we are doing really works and we can’t stop now!” Local media representatives were acknowledged for the extensive coverage that is given to the event each year. High Country Media (The Mountain Times and Watauga Democrat) was presented the 2006 American Cancer Society Media Partner Award, with special recognition given to High Country Press, WATA and Mountain Television. Relay For Life will take place on Friday, June 15 – Saturday, June 16 at Watauga High School. Captain’s meetings will be held monthly leading up to the event, with updates, information and encouragement offered on a routine basis. Relay For Life is a community gathering, where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Your help is needed before, during, and after Relay. For information on how you or your business can become sponsors, contact Glenda Hodges at (828) 264-8529; or how your family, co-workers or friends can participate as a team, contact Sue Tilson at (828)264-2558.