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Relay will go on in spite of controversy

By Staff | Jul 22, 2009

By JONAY CORLEY

Editor

In the midst of some controversy surrounding the placement of funds collected locally by the American Cancer Society, it’s business as usual for the organizers of Tyler County’s Relay for Life who say the show will go on July 24 and 25 in spite of the rumors.

To dispell the rumors that funds do not benefit the community, Nathan Ash, community manager for the American Cancer Society commented, “Every community benefits from the research being done in every other community. By taking a nationwide approach to research, we ensure finding breakthroughs that help everyone.”

He continued, “The South Atlantic Division is home to many institutions receiving society research grants.

Congress has passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing, and sales of tobacco products.

Ash explained, “This is a major achievement and would not have been possible without the hard work and persistence of volunteers and staff nationwide. In the past few weeks, more than 5,000 phone calls were placed to members of Congress. ACS CAN volunteers met with Senators over the most recent Congressional recess and participated in public events across the country to call attention to the bill. Special recognition goes to the more than 9,000 Relay For Life volunteers, nearly 8,000 of them first time ACS CAN volunteers, who sent just under 18,500 emails to their US Senators in just one week.”

The American Cancer Society must remain vigilant in approaching the equally important work of implementing the bill and fighting tobacco on other fronts.

In Tyler County the Cancer Resource Network provides information, day-to-day help and emotional support at the community level. According to Ash, last year 20 residents received support from the American Cancer Society, three people received 102 rides to treatment appointments, two women participated in Reach to Recovery, where new breast cancer patients receive support from trained survivors and one person contacted the on-call dietician for dietary advice.

Local relay registration with start at 6 p.m. followed by the opening ceremony and the National Anthem at 7 p.m.

Survivors, caregivers and children will take a lap at 7:15 p.m. and everyone will take to the track at 7:30 p.m.

Additional activities will continue throughout the night with a cake walk at 8 p.m., a purse auction at 8:45 p.m., and the ‘Mr. Legs Contest’ at 11:45 p.m.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Bobby Parr and Tammy Glover at 8 p.m. and Laken Underwood at 9 p.m.

The time honored Luminaria ceremony will take place at 9:30 p.m.

There will be other activities as well, including a jail, themed laps, an auction, crazy hair contest, road to recovery race, scavenger hunt and more.

The following morning, breakfast will be served at 5 a.m., with closing ceremonies scheduled for 5:30 a.m.