The Women's Missionary Union of First Baptist Church of Pembroke hosted the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) North Bryan Relay For Life (RFL) Annual Survivors’ Dinner on March 28 in honor of community members who have fought, or are currently fighting, cancer.
More than 55 survivors were honored during the dinner while local pianist Edward Rich entertained the crowd. ACS staff member Victoria TenBroeck presented a program called, Your American Cancer Society. The educational program explained exactly where all the money goes that the RFL is raising.
"Victoria’s presentation was very educational and interesting," said cancer survivor and North Bryan RFL Chair, Jenny Miller. "We are excited about the great turn out and really enjoyed the evening," Miller said.
After TenBroeck’s presentation, Miller welcomed all the survivors and explained their role in the Relay. The Survivors’ Dinner is just the beginning of the special treatment for those who have conquered cancer or are still battling it. At RFL events, survivors have a special place -- they are honored in the opening lap of the Relay and are also paid tribute to with lighted luminaria that shine to represent the hope for a future where cancer no longer threatens the lives of friends and family. But honoring survivors doesn’t begin and end at Relay: the American Cancer Society recognizes that patients and their loved ones need help not only with diagnosis and treatment, but also with life beyond cancer.
That’s why the programs and services offered by the American Cancer Society are designed to offer help and hope no matter where you are in your cancer journey. You can receive more information about programs the ACS offers for cancer survivors by calling their 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visiting their website at www.cancer.org. These services and programs are made possible by the donations from communities across the nation at events like Relay For Life.
The North Bryan RFL begins Friday at 7 p.m. with the survivors lap and continues until 7 a.m. Saturday morning. This year’s theme is Cancer Doesn’t Take a Holiday. Live entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. but all cancer survivors participating in the first lap are asked to be registered by 6 p.m. If a survivor has not pre-registered they are welcomed to come out and register that night.
"We will have T-shirts and other gifts for each survivor that could not attend the dinner tonight," said Miller. "Survivors will kick-off the event by walking the opening lap and caregivers will be invited to join the survivors for the second lap."
The North Bryan RFL will be held at Hendrix Park in Black Creek. According to Event Chair Miller, there will be lots of activities for children and the entire family. The whole community is invited to attend, donate and participate. It is recommended that you bring a lawn chair if you plan on attending. People still interested in joining a team or sponsoring a team, please contact either Victoria TenBoeck with the ACS at 355-5197 or Jenny Miller at 429-4773.
Teams registered so far are: BCHS FCCLA- Team Captain, Alex Covington, Beulah Baptist Church- Team Captain, Amy Thompson, Ellabell United Methodist Church- Team Captain, Theresa Zimmerman, BCES- Team Captain, Janet Butler, Faith Harvest Sanctuary- Team Captain, Mona Butler, First Baptist Church of Pembroke- Team Captain, Carolyn Downs, Junior Relay Committee- Team Captain Marie Bacon, Lanier Primary School- Team Captain, Valerie Sapp, Pembroke Christian Church- Team Captain, Debbie Floyd, Pembroke Telephone Company- Team Captain, Rachel Beckworth, Redskins’ Student Council- Team Captain, Theresa Atwood, and Heritage Bank- Team Captain, Sharroll Fanslau.
The teams have already turned in over $10,000 to the ACS. The fundraising goal for the event is $53,000.