Even though it’s still a few months out, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life already has 54 teams registered with a fundraising total of over $15,000. I was really impressed by the community involvement and commitments that have already been made toward this event. And now’s the time to get involved if you’re not already! I’ve known participants in past Relay for Life events and it means so much for everyone who attends this event to celebrate and remember together for such a great cause.

And do you know what the American Cancer Society’s 2015 goals are?

• To lower the number of people dying of cancer by half.
• To reduce the occurrence of cancer by 25%.
• To improve the quality of life of all those affected by the disease

Those are goals that every one of us can get behind and it starts with participating on a local level with Relay for Life.

I asked Sheena Powell, Community Representative for the American Cancer Society here in Huntsville, to answer some questions to give us more information about participating in Relay for Life.

Relay Q & A

Tell me a little bit about the upcoming Relay for Life.

The Relay for Life of Huntsville Metro is a community wide over-night event that will take place on May 17 – 18 from 7 pm until 7 am at John Hunt Park.

What are some things that people might not know about the event or what it does for the community?

It is the mission of the American Cancer Society to save lives. We help people get well, stay well, find cures and fight back against cancer. We are currently funding cancer research locally at the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology. The American Cancer Society’s research program was recently ranked 1st in the U.S. and 2nd in the world.

Relay for Life is conducted not simply to raise funds, but to involve communities, give the Society a local presence and provide communities the opportunity to own the mission. Relay is a critical means of achieving the Society’s 2015 goals.

Relay for Life is a moving celebration of cancer survivorship. The event begins with a Survivors Lap in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track. A candlelight ceremony is held later in the evening to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have been lost to this disease.

Are there any volunteer opportunities for folks who just want to help out, but not walk?

As a community event, Relay fulfills a need for belonging that we all have. It also creates a sense of community by bringing people together in a moving and fun atmosphere, with sufficient time for cultivating relationships.

The event is volunteer-driven, with Society staff coaching the volunteers. There is a true partnership between volunteers and staff. There are lots of opportunities for more volunteers to get involved with this event. Call 256-535-1090 to sign up to volunteer.

What does it take to get a team together and what can that team expect?

To register a team, click here. Most teams are currently registering and starting their fund-raising efforts now. There are team meetings every month to rally the teams, recognize the teams and exchange new fund-raising ideas to help them reach their fund-raising goals.

Meetings take place at 5:30 pm at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Murray Hall.

 

Here are the dates for the upcoming meetings:

• February 12h
• March 12th
• April 9th

There will also be a special bank night on May 14 from 3 pm – 7 pm  where teams can submit their team money and pick up Relay for Life t-shirts. This will take place at Bryant Bank located at 415-H Church Street, Ste. 100.

Happy Feet

For some further insight into Relay for Life, I spoke to Jeanna Rodgers, Director of Policies and Procedures at SAIC, which is the Presenting Sponsor. Participation in Relay has been a long tradition for SAIC and they have a very dedicated team called Happy Feet.

The Happy Feet team comes from all different departments of SAIC and even more employees help out with fund-raising efforts year-round. All of SAIC’s employee efforts are 100% volunteer and the company raises from $10,000 – $15,000 each year for the American Cancer Society.

The culmination of all of the employees hard work is the Relay for Life event itself where SAIC has a tent and everyone walks, eats and spends time together during the entire 12-hour event. Being the Presenting Sponsor, SAIC is honored to lead the opening walk of Relay for Life. Rodgers said that it is very special for the team members, who love to work for a company who supports such a great cause in our community. She even encourages other companies to take a look at what is meaningful to their employees and then to get involved!

Now’s the Time

If you would like to get together a team to walk, volunteer to support the event or just make a donation, now is the time to get involved in Relay for Life. Join the Happy Feet team and help the American Cancer Society toward their goals.

I asked Sheena Powell what was the final most important thing for everyone to know. She gave me a phone number and three great things you can get from calling 1-800-227-2345. American Cancer Society’s phone lines are open every minute of every day to help give people the answers they need about cancer.

• Get Information – Cancer Information Specialists are available 24/7 to answer your questions.
• Locate Resources – There are many local and national resources available to cancer patients.
• Join the Fight – Your participation makes a difference in the lives of patients and in the fight against cancer.

Event Information

Date: May 17 – 18
Time: 7 pm until 7 am
Location: John Hunt Park
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