Relay for
Life launches for 2009 Cancer doesn’t care about the
economy
By Tiffany Allison
Watauga County held its annual American Cancer Society’s
Relay for Life kick off at 6 p.m. on Monday at Watauga Medical
Center.
Sheila Pate joyfully hands Colby Warren her award for
raising the most money in the children’s category
for Relay for Life fund-raising. Warren raised $1,128
for the fight against cancer in 2008. Photo by Tiffany Allison
As the group celebrated its accomplishments for 2008, the preparations
began for this year’s walk to combat cancer. The date is
set for Friday, June 19 until Saturday, June 20, at Watauga High
School.
Glenda Hodges and Sharon Trivette, co-chairpersons of Relay for
Life of Watauga County, encouraged the 81 teams to fund-raise
unapologetically.
“Cancer doesn’t care about the economy,” Trivette
said. “One dollar could hold the test tube that holds the
cure.”
Tanger Factory Outlet centers raised $21,319 during their Breast
Cancer Awareness campaign and donated it to the cause. With each
dollar donated, customers received a special card giving them
a 25 percent discount at participating outlet stores.
“Any team can be so successful.“ Trivette said.
For the fifth year in a row, Della Presnell raised the most money
by a single individual, reaching $13,585. Presnell, the sole member
of Ted’s Troops, also raised the most out of every team.
Adding 15 new teams to their list, the crew is ready to raise
more money than last year’s total of $251,555. The chapter
ranked sixth out of 16 nationally for its population size and
received the Power of Hope Award for the most survivor participation
and Outstanding Mission Award for the South Atlantic Division.
Sheila Pate, Relay community manager, passed out awards to community
members who had outstanding fund-raiser results. Colby Warren
received an award for the most money raised by a child with her
total reaching $1,128. Tara Trivette, daughter of Sharon Trivette,
raised the most money in the youth category totaling $1,245.
“I love Watauga County, and I love working with this community,”
Pate said.
In recognition for her outstanding support for Reach to Recovery,
Sue Tilson received the Terese Lasser Award for going above and
beyond to help recent cancer victims with their battle.
A breast cancer survivor, Tilson took her lunch breaks to meet
with recent breast cancer victims to provide encouragement, Pate
said. Sue and her husband are both cancer survivors and were responsible
for starting the first Relay for Life in Watauga County.
Relay for Life has raised $3.5 billion since its beginnings in
1985. Although no cure has been found, members cling to their
hope of one day wiping out the life-taking illness.
Dr. Jason Grayson, recipient of a Research Scholar grant from
the American Cancer Society, said that, over the last 10 years
federal funding for cancer research, has taken a hit. But with
support from organizations like the American Cancer Society, scientist
will continue to their research.
“It is so much more than just a fund-raiser,” Trivette
said. “It is a world wide mission to end cancer.”
For more information about Relay for Life, please visit www.relayforlife.org/watauganc.
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