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Community Corner

RELAY FOR LIFE KICK OFF WAS A TOUCHING EVENT

Relay For Life of Greater Rochester held their annual Kick Off event on Wednesday, March 19 at the First Congregational Church at 1315 Pine Street in Rochester.

 

Although the Relay is still a few months away, the Kick Off Celebration was an opportunity for the community to learn more about Relay for Life, how Rochester area residents are getting involved, what the American Cancer Society is doing in the community and to enjoy an evening of information, inspiration and celebration.

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The 2014 event chair, Dave Thompson, kicked off the evening by welcoming everyone who came out to support the event and promised a motivational, inspirational and fun evening. “As a group, we all know how important each and every birthday is. That’s why we’re embarking on our most ambitious undertaking yet. This year we want to finish the fight!,” said Thompson.

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Thompson also gratefully acknowledged the generosity of the First Congregational Church who donated the venue and to Kosch Catering in downtown Rochester donating the food. As well as the event committee members who were asked to stand as their names were called.

 

Then, Bob Grace, Mission Delivery Chair, talked about the kind of impact Relay For Life can have. “We all have our reasons to relay and one of mine is prostate cancer – this is to remind me of my dad and several of my friends in this room.   By joining us at Relay you help to raise the funds that drive the American Cancer Society and its quest to find a cure for cancer.  You help fund Nobel Prize winning research. Research is the heart of the ACS mission.  For more that 65 years ACS has been finding answers to save lives, from changes in lifestyle to new approaches in therapies to improving cancer patients’ quality of life. Last year our relay raised $135,000 that helps to pay for ACS sponsored programs. ACS is the largest private source of cancer research dollars in the United States,” said Grace. Then, a short but touching video was shared to give guests a glimpse of what Relay is all about.

 

Before leaving the stage, Grace introduced Cancer Surviour and special speaker for the evening, Karen Johnson. “I could go on to list all the amazing things about Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society but I really want to introduce someone else who I think you will want to hear from. I would like to introduce you to my co-worker and two time cancer survior, Karen, to share her story,” said Grace.

 

“My name is Karen Johnson and I am a two-time survior of what I like to call the “short straw.” That is how I felt, like I had gotten the “short straw.” There has been a lot of cancer in my family. But, in the summer of 2007 my 25 year old niece and mother of two year old twins heard those words.. “you have cancer.”  Of couse we were all horrified. All the women in the family lined up and had mamommograms. And, well as you may have guessed, I drew the “short straw.” At 40 years old, the weekend of Sweetest Day, I heard those same words…”you have cancer.”  I had a mastectomy (my niece had a double) and I did chemo (we both did a double)and I was sicker than I have ever been.  I was bald, my body was scarred and I was tired. But, I kept going the best I could and so did my neice. And we survived!!! Fast forward to 2012 on Valentines Day and I heard those words again…”you have cancer.” Now I was more than angry, I was downright furious! Not to mention I seriously hate those romantic Hallmark holidays!  This time I was not so positive but I had surgery again. And, it stunk! It seemed I as either being cut, poke or poisoned. But I survived again! Ladies and gentelman, that is the key – survival. We all have it in us. It is in us from the beginning. Sometimes we want to throw in the towel. Sometimes we want to quit. But, we don’t, we keep going! And, it is people like you here tonight that keep us going. You give us hope. You give us strength. You let us know we are not alone in this fight against the “short straw,”” said Johnson.

 

Following Karen’s heart felt presentation, Thompson returned to the stage to recognize the survivors in attendance as they were asked to stand and were presented with a gift of appreciation followed by a warming round of applause. Thompson went on to talk about the importance of caregivers and their assistance in the survival of someone faced with a cancer diagnosis.  “In addition to survivors I would like to recognize some other special folks in the room tonight…our caregivers!  If you have provided support or care for a cancer patient at any time during their cancer journey…whether it be a meal, a ride to treatment, emotional or other type of support.” Thompson said.

 

Next, the attendees wecleomed back Dave Thompson, to the stage to to lead an emotional Luminaria Ceremony. “We come together tonight to renew our fight against cancer through Relay For Life and to celebrate our efforts thus far. Our celebration is to honor those affected by cancer that were, and are, an important part of our lives. Cancer shows no preference.  It takes young and old, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, partners, best friends, old friends, and dear friends. Tonight we remember those we loved whose lives were taken from ours by cancer. When you see your reason to relay please stand and light your candle., said Thompson. Then, as the lights were lowered and music played, individuals approached the podium to share their personal reasons to relay as a photo of their loved one was diplayed on the screen above. As they spoke of  fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, partners, best friends, old friends, and dear friends and even themselves, the audience was asked to stand as their reason to relay was mentioned.

               

Cheryl Satterwaite came to the stage to share informatin on how ACS-CAN initiative helps to support cancer research, “Each year, ACS CAN works hard to ensure that the agencies overseeing cancer research and programs receive the money they need to continue the battle against this terrible disease.  We need your passion, we need your stories, and we need your voice.  We can work together to help people in need,” said Satterwaite.

 

Following the mood was lightened as Maureen Lietz, this year’s Team Retention and Mentoring Chair, came to the stage to talk about team fundraising and to acknowledge last years top fundraising individuals by standing. First, Grand Club members, these individuals committed to raising $1,000 or more last year. And followed by top fundraising teams, including the top five, Rochester Juniors   $5002, Cancer Cadets $6304, Eddie & the City Cruisers $12,884, Adams & Stoney Creek High Shchool Robotics and Camping Dudes       $13,501 and the top team Cancer Sucks $18,148.

 

 As the evening began to come to an end, Davd Thompson returned to the stage to thank everyone for coming and to shared a few more details on how to get involved, sign up a team, register online, meeting schedules or to ask questions.

 

This year’s Relay For Life of Greater Rochester will take place on June 21st at Hart Middle School beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing through 9:00 a.m. on June 22nd. Anyone interested in learning more about Relay for Life or in joining a team are encouraged to please contact Rachel Leas by phone at 248.663.3436 ext. 3436 or by email at rachel.leas@cancer.org or you can visit the website at www.relayforlife.org/rochestermi to get more information on the event, start a team online or make a donation. You can also follow the event on Facebook at “Relay for Life of Greater Rochester.”

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