Each year many people wonder how our previous year’s efforts are surpassed. Employees of the American Cancer Society (ACS) have been approached since late last year by event leaders informing them that the economic downturn has vastly disrupted their events. The ACS’s answer – “go talk to Scotland County!” In an area where industry has traditionally been vast, where the unemployment rate ranks among the top in North Carolina, and where industry has been hit hard in the past ten years – Scotland County’s Relay For Life continues to grow and leads the nation two consecutive years in their population category for event success per capita.
Words could never fully express the heart, drive, and sense of urgency felt by citizens and businesses of Scotland County in the fight against cancer. The hard work and effort of so many make the Scotland County Relay the success it truly is! The celebration of cancer survivorship is vastly shown by the 300+ cancer survivor participants making the first lap of the Relay ( the Survivor Lap) as well as the 300+ in attendance at the Survivor Banquet held a week ago this past Thursday. The increased awareness to cancer and its early warning signs goes on year round from the Team Captain’s meetings, to Relay Olympics at the event. Many individuals think Relay is about the money raised. Well, in addition to the celebration of survivorship and heightening the awareness of cancer and its early warning signs, it is about the money! On Friday night, Dr. Kelvin Raybon, Medical Director of Scotland Cancer Treatment Center, said it best, “Now, more than ever, raising more money for funding cancer research is critical…” We are closer than ever to finding that CURE that will prevent our loved ones and friends (and perhaps ourselves) from never having to hear the words, “You have cancer…”
Special thanks to Scotland High School and the Scotland County School System for the use of Pate Stadium, Principal Joe Critcher and Roger Ammons, the St. Andrews Wrestling Team and Coach Joe Baranik for filling and placing luminaries Friday night and luminary cleanup on Saturday, Scotland Health Care System, Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, Chip Morton of CM Studio, Sloane Williams for our Luminary acknowledgement slide show, John Clark and the Staff of RBC Centura for hosting Bank Night, and to Tommy Black and Blooz Beach Boogie Band and all of our other entertainers.
Last but not least, a very special thanks to our Relay Team Captains, team participants, corporate sponsors, and event committee chairs and co-chairs. All of you worked very hard for the success we achieved this year and you should be extraordinarily proud of your efforts and everyone’s combined efforts! You are the core of Relay for Life in Scotland County and truly make a difference in the fight against cancer! You raise the bar, set the standard, and challenge other communities to go the extra mile to be their best and bring an end to this disease. You all are the greatest!
As we bring a close to another successful year, we encourage all who participated in this year’s Relay For Life to get some rest and start thinking about next year. And to those of you who didn’t participate, we encourage you to join a team, start a team, volunteer to serve, GET INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER! Currently, one in seven women will be diagnosed by breast cancer in their lifetime and one in three people with be diagnosed with some form of cancer. By becoming a part of Relay For Life, you become a part of eliminating these statistics and more importantly, eliminating the pain and suffering many experience through cancer. Finding a CURE, is the greatest way to CARE for those you love who could potentially be impacted by this disease.
Thanks again Scotland County for a phenomenal year in Relay For Life!
Stewart and Carol Thomas served as event Co-Chairs for the 2009 Scotland County Area Relay For Life
Post a Comment
