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Troy Thee, senior community manager of the American Cancer Society, welcomed those in attendance to the event and offered words of gratitude for their contribution to making the 2006 Relay event the most prosperous for Davidson County.
“Thank each and every one of you for what you did for the community and the American Cancer Society,” Thee said. “We can’t say thank you enough for all you do for cancer research.
“Not only do you have jobs, and your life, but you still find time to give to others.”
Team members took their turn to describe their contribution to Relay For Life, and why raising funds for cancer research is so important. Through choked-back tears and strained voices, many had trouble finding the words as the told stories of how cancer has affected their life, or the life of people they love.
Brenda Ellison of Team BNC (Brown New Calvary Church) described her experiences with the ravaging disease.
“I am a four year survivor of breast cancer,” Ellison said. “One month before I was diagnosed, I lost my mother to breast cancer, and one month before that, my sister-in-law.”
Other members shared how cancer has impacted their lives, and how it made them more determined to not only survive, but to also help those struggling with the disease.
Carolyn Adams, who will serve as co-chair of the 2007 Relay for Life is an 18-year survivor on Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
“Relay is a way that we can give back and hopefully help others that are suffering,” Adams said.
Top 10 fundraisers honored at the event included, MAC PAC of Denton, $17,190.91; Dream Team, $9,691.75; Mulligans For Life, $5,938; Team BNC, $5,888; Thomasville Rotary and Friends (team includes Thomasville Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac and the Thomasville Times), $5,581.35; Beck’s Woodworking, $5,396.65; Thomasville OB-GYN, $4,597; Wal-Mart of Lexington/The Smiley Gang, $3,954.83; Royale Crusaders, $3004.50; and LSBEE’s/Bennan’s Angels, $2,785.47.
Other participating teams included, the Miracle Workers, Mt. Pleasant Milers, Lights of Hope, Team Centerclair, Team Trinity, Union Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta, The Overcomers, The Jewels, Thomasville Lion’s Club, Friends for Life, Kendyl’s Crusaders, Thomasville Medical Center, Soul Sisters, Paw-Paw’s Pride, Sister Love, Shady Grove United Methodist Church, CGUMC Crusaders for the Cure, Angels Among Us, Stanley Furniture, Tyro Church and God’s Kids Against Cancer.
In total, last year’s Relay For Life of Davidson County raised more than $97,000 for cancer victims and cancer research.
Relay is already gearing up for next year’s event, and has scheduled the kick-off dinner for Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Rich Fork Baptist Church. For more information about Relay For Life or to start a team, contact Patsy Hughes at 476-3862, Allyson Jacobs at 475-8734 or Michelle Hughes at 476-3969, or 2006-07 co-chair Carolyn Adams at 475-9886.
Editor Lisa Wall can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 229, or editor@tvilletimes.com.