The 2012 Relay for Life is set for April 20-21 and will run from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday at the Gordon Road recreation complex track. This year’s goal is $49,000. ’The theme this year is: 3, 2, 1 Blast Off to a Cure,’ said chairman Tracey Muise. ‘Our Relay is going to be out of this world. We have 18 teams, which is more than last year.’ ’We look forward to seeing everybody out there,’ said ACS representative Laura Beaber. ‘No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay. Each dollar you raise will help save lives. How far will you go to make a difference in the fight against cancer?’ The opening ceremony is set for 7 p.m. Friday with survivors walking the first lap at 7:30 p.m. Luminaries will be lit around 9:30 p.m. and the popular Ms. Relay Contest will be held, as will a fight back ceremony and other events. Relay will end at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 21, after a 6:45 a.m. closing ceremony. Entertainment this year includes Zumba with Ashleighanne, Destiny Underwood, the high school marching band, elementary chorus, MacKenzie Dyer, high school chorus members and the Take Cover Band Food for sale at Relay for Life will include Chick-fil-A, hot cobbler, hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and baked goods. Between Sept. 2010 and April 2011 the American Cancer Society provided the following services to Lamar County residents: Ten cancer patients called and received information from the ACS specialist; five breast cancer patients were contacted by a Reach to Recovery volunteer; four cancer patients received travel assistance to and from cancer treatments; one cancer patient received two free wigs; one cancer patient was helped by a patient advocate; four cancer patients received referrals to local resources and one cancer patient participated in other ACS programs. In Georgia, ACS provided services to 50,554 cancer patients and caregivers. ACS is funding over $12 million in cancer research grants at institutions throughout Georgia. A total of 237 guests were treated to 11,670 nights of free lodging at ACS’s Hope Lodge in Atlanta last year. ’Your reasons for walking in the Relay For Life are as unique and special as the story that motivates you,’ said Beaber. ‘This is your opportunity to not only honor cancer survivors and remember people we’ve lost but raise funds and awareness to help save lives. Because of your support, we’re creating a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life. You are helping create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.’ Last year ‘“ for the third year running ‘“ the Lamar County school system received an award from the ACS for its fundraising efforts during the local Relay for Life campaign. The schools raised $15,082.09 toward $45,000 brought in during 2011 Relay. The goal had been $68,000 but the April 28 tornadoes had volunteers out doing work elsewhere that Mother’s Day.
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