Kickoff in the news

Last week, news of our kickoff was in the East Central Link (Thanks Cherie Chesser!) and today it's in The Mississippi Press. Here's the story, with some of the pictures I took. We had a blast! The East Central Players presented an original skit illuminating the facts about cancer in a thought-provoking, but funny way. Thanks to everyone for their hard work making the kickoff a success. And thanks to all the businessess and individuals who made donations - the food was awesome! - Donna H.

HURLEY – It was “Happy 25th Birthday” to Relay For Life so about 130 folks gathered Jan. 20 to celebrate the American Cancer Society to kickoff the East Central Relay’s fundraising season.


Last year, the community raised not only reached its goal of $75,000 in three months, it nearly doubled it, raising almost $130,000. For 2009, the ACS has set East Central Relay’s goal at $135,000.


The new goal at first worried Cherie Langley, who is chairing the event for her second year.


“I know the economy isn’t what it was a year ago, but when I shared that with my mother she said to me, ‘Cherie, you’re not selling magazines or cookie dough. You’re raising money for Relay. And EVERYONE has been touched in some way by cancer. Times may be hard, but we’re doing this for a good cause and people are going to give to support Relay.’”



After her mother’s encouragement, Cherie’s not worried anymore. “One thing I do know is that when this community comes together for a cause, we accomplish what we set out to do,” she said.


Guest speaker for the Relay kick-off was Mark Scott, a widower raising his 11-year-old son Bryce.

Mark shared with the audience how his wife, Juanelle, and their small son first discovered Relay for Life. It was 2001, and the Barton family went to the George County Relay and had a blast fellowshipping with friends and sharing in the excitement of food and fun. By November of that same year, Juanelle was diagnosed with cancer.

“She used to tell people ‘My life was perfect… and then I got cancer,’” he said.
Doctors gave her a year, then she went into remission “because of the wonderful research” this event raises, he said.

After six months in remission the cancer returned and she died in 2005.
And though Relay was one of Juanelle’s favorite things to do, Mark and his son don’t Relay just for her. “We do it for that person who may be in this room, who tomorrow may hear those words.. ‘You have cancer.’”


Mark encouraged the community to get more involved with Relay for Life because it makes a difference to those battling cancer now, and those who might someday get into the fight.

“You get out there and make it bigger this year than you did last year,” he urged. “If anybody can do it, it’s this group right here.”


Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s national signature event. Each year, communities across the United States host these events to raise money with one goal in mind – eliminating cancer.


Relay is a fun, overnight event that mobilizes communities to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and fight back by raising money to find a cure.
But it’s not just about the money. “Relay for Life is as much an awareness-raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society,” Cherie said.


“Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event as a volunteer or participant have made a commitment to fight back against this disease and let the community know that we can beat cancer!” she said.

There’s room for more teams and more volunteers. “We encourage families, churches, businesses and other community organizations to establish teams that will compete with each other to see who can raise the most money and of course, have the most fun,” she said.