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Fundraising efforts kick off with event

By Staff | Jan 25, 2012

In spite of a cold and blustery winter ice storm that froze the area with its wintery blast on Jan. 21, the Relay for Life of Tyler County committee members held their Open House at the Sistersville Elks ballroom to kick off the 2012 year of fundraising. The “Carnival of Hope” themed activity was alive with games, prizes, carnival food and fun for everyone attending.

“We had a good turn out, considering the weather,” said Chairman Betty J. McCoy. “Most of our committee members were there including Norma Brannon, Susan Gates, Mamie Blatt, Kimberly Spencer, Glayda Blizzard, Deb Doig, Hattie Williams, ASC Staff Partner Carmen Hathaway and myself.”

Add to that number several members from already organized teams, interested new teams, and members of the community and the turn out was indeed a pleasant surprise for the organizers.

The Relay for Life of Tyler County committee members manned tables at the Open House, complete with information concerning each program, as well as carnival-type games for entertainment. The idea of the Open House was to acquaint the community with Relay for Life activities; present information about the main event on June 1; and recruit new teams and team members to take part in fundraising throughout the year.

In fact, during the Open House, one new team signed up to be a part of this years fundraising efforts in Tyler County. “We had one new team register,” the chairman said. “We now have 10 teams online and several veteran teams coming back.”

The goal is to have 23 teams by the time the main event rolls around and raise $32,000 countywide.

Information was presented on all aspects of Relay, including: the Luminaria ceremony, the fight back ceremony, mission development, survivor and caregiver laps, team information, fundraising tips and activities that will take place at the main event.

Relay for Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. It is an event that helps communities across the globe celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of individuals camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. Relayers do not have to walk all night, but each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

Although the main objective of Relay is to raise money for cancer research and cancer patients, the event is held to spread cancer awareness, celebrate the lives of survivors, remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and unite a community in the fight against cancer.

Relay’s and Relay events are one way the American Cancer Society can save more lives by helping more people stay well and get well, by raising more funds to find cures, and by rallying more communities to fight back against cancer. People across the earth join in Relay for Life events as a small way to help raise funds in order to combat the deadly disease.

Relay for Life of Tyler County proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society Programs and Services by: helping patients and family members through their cancer journey by providing resources and someone to talk to available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by calling 1-800-227-2345; provide wigs for cancer patients free of charge; transportation assistance to and from treatments free of charge; nationwide research to help folks right here in our community (development of medications such as taxmoxiten and Gieevac, also cancer screening tests such as mammograms, PSA tests, pap test, colonoscopy and more is made possible because of the American Cancer society); Hope Lodge in major metro areas, where patients stay free while getting treatment; smoking cessation assistance to prevent lung cancer; and support groups for men and women such as Look Good Feel Better, Man to Man, and I Can Cope, and so much more.

Everyone’s help is needed to be able to continue to provide these services and resources, and the entire Tyler County community is invited to participate in this years event.

Organizers of the Open House extend their appreciation to Koolaids’ Pizza, the Sistersville Elks Lodge #333, the Wells Inn, and anyone else assisting and/or attending the event.

“I would like to thank everyone that came out to support us and every one that made the day the success it was,” McCoy said. “I am looking forward to seeing our team representatives at our first team meeting on Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Wells Inn.”

For more information contact McCoy at 304-889-2462 or visit the local website at: www.relayforlife.org /tylerwv or their Facebook page, Relay for Life of Tyler County 2012.