Relay For Life set for April 28

Published 8:18 pm Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Relay For Life of Lauderdale County officials set the bar high Tuesday night at the kickoff by announcing the 2017 goal of the annual event that promotes cancer awareness is to raise $255,000.

The 2017 American Cancer’s Society’s Relay For Life is scheduled for April 28 at the Meridian Community College soccer field. The event at the school last year raised $251,000. Approximately 69 teams participated in the annual event.

“We invite everyone to form a new team this year. Our ultimate goal is to stamp out cancer,” Event Lead Chairperson Cathy Raley said. “We’re expecting 100 teams to participate this year. We’re going big and we’re back on the track at MCC. People were excited about that.”

The 2017 Relay For Life committee members were announced. They include Community Manager, Channing Peebles; Gina Conner, Luminaria; Bobbie White, Online and Social Communications; Julie Boles, Publicity; Christy Roberts, Sponsorship; Scott Williams, Logistics; Brandi Ethridge, Sponsorship; Staci Harden, Logistics; Bo Hawkins, Logistics; Debbie Young, Survivorship; Debby Delshad, Entertainment; Heather Woodall, Team Recruitment; Renee Hamilton, Accounting and Lauren Newman, Accounting.

“We ended last year on an awesome note. Everybody did just a fantastic job,” Relay For Life Senior Manager Christen Waters said.

Waters said a captains meeting is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Mississippi Power. She said anyone who is thinking about forming a team should come to the Jan. 19 meeting. A theme will be selected at the meeting. Possible themes include board games, Boots and Westerns, Characters from Dr. Seuss and Flashback Friday.

During the meeting, survivors and caretakers were recognized.  

“This is not just about raising money; we want to be a part of survivorship,” Raley said, who is a survivor herself. “We’re here to fight cancer. It would be wonderful to say it’s gone.”

Citizens National Bank Regional Support Officer Vikki Hunt has captained her bank team for the past four years. The team raised $18,000 last year. She said approximately 100 bank employees and their families participated last year. For her, cancer is personal.

“My mother had breast cancer and this is honoring her,” Hunt said. “It has hit a lot of people and affects so many people. People are passionate because it affects a family member or themselves.”

Jennifer Garrett participates in Relay For Life and has had loved ones stricken with cancer.

“I’m here for my daughter’s Dusty Social Service Club. It’s a high school girls club which does community service. My grandfather had lung cancer and passed away 10 years ago,” Garrett said. “My mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor. It’s one of those things sometimes you don’t know you have until it’s too late.”

Garrett said her team will have a tent to sell food in honor of survivors and remember those who have passed.

“It’s just a way to be involved in the community and provide financial support to families and patients who need it,” Garrett said.