Relay for Life was an overwhelming success
When it comes to the fight against cancer, each and every one of us has reason to step into the ring. That’s because it’s impossible to determine where cancer will strike. As sad as it is to think — and as much as we would all like to be invincible and think “I’ll never get cancer” — the unfortunate fact is we never really know.
This weekend’s Relay for Life showed Warren countians are indeed united in the battle to rid this world of cancer. In a display of solidarity, and while maintaining a festive atmosphere for of the night, Relay for Life can be classified as nothing less than an overwhelming success.
Event organizers came asking and local residents proved they were more than giving. Early estimates have Relay for Life earning $67,000 and that number is sure to inch higher before final totals are released.
But monetary donations weren’t the only thing given away as a stage full of door prizes were donated by area merchants.
“We have milked this county dry for door prizes and we are so thankful,” said Sharon Walker, one of the main organizers.
Added Joy Black, also one of the key organizers, “We’ve been working and begging for months to get donations for the midnight buffet, the send-off breakfast and all the door prizes. And every time we’ve been greeted with a positive response.”
National Relay for Life organizers were stunned the local event received such widespread support. They first said this was a spectacular turnout for a first-year event, and then just said it was a spectacular turnout, period.
This was the first year Relay for Life has entered our community after being formed almost 20 years ago. Since then, the event has spread to 3,800 communities in the United States and eight foreign countries.
After viewing first-year activities, it’s easy to see how Relay for Life delivers such a powerful statement. It allows a community to grieve together during the luminaria ceremony for those lost to cancer. And it allows people to celebrate the lives and accomplishments for those fortunate enough to have survived.
To date, events such as Relay for Life have helped the American Cancer Society invest more than $2.4 billion in cancer research. What once operated with less than a $1 million a year budget in 1946 has steadily grown into a $130 million a year research program.
Our community warmly embraced Relay for Life and for that we are all truly fortunate. For we never know when it could be any one of us, our spouse, even one of our children who receive the life-changing news that there is cancer.
Through efforts such as Relay for Life, there is hope that one day all that will change. For everyone who helped make a difference Friday night, and into the early hours of Saturday morning, you deserve to be proud of your contributions.