Photo: Cancer Survivor Irene Prince (cancer free for 29 years) holds one of the MM's donated rice tote bags at the Madras High School Track -- site of our local Relay for Life event -- as her daughter gives her support.
The Madras 2011 Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society raised over $47,000. MadrasMark supported the June 16-17, 2011 Relay for Life fundraising event in Madras by donating seven rice bag totes for its Silent Auction.
Relay For Life (Relay) is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life events have spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace. Although the main objective of Relay is to raise money for cancer research and cancer patients, the event is held to spread cancer awareness, celebrate the lives of survivors, remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and unite a community in the fight against cancer. It is estimated that Relay For Life events have raised over $3 billion to date.
Survivor Lap Cancer Survivors are a large part of the Relay community. It is important to honor those who have won their battle against cancer. At most Relay events, the Survivor Lap, starts the Relay, and it distinguishes the survivors – wearing purple Survivor t-shirts -- and celebrates their victory. The featured Madras 2011 Survivor Honorees were Irene Prince & Dorothy Thomas, who spoke about their challenges and successes, and encouraged those with cancer to continue fighting. They also told the community that there is hope when given a diagnosis of cancer. All Cancer Survivors show us that cancer can be overcome. MadrasMark’s mother is a cancer survivor.
Beyond Research: Local ACS Programs Although the ACS has the goal of finding the Cure for Cancer through funding medical research there are many local programs that can help you, your loved ones and neighbor who get a cancer diagnosis, and some of these programs include:
· Gift Closet Where wigs, hats and scarves are offered at no charge to patients.
· Look Good … Feel Better A free ACS program that teaches people in active cancer treatment ways to help with the appearance-related side effects of treatment.
· Cancer Survivor College Scholarship Program This program gives young cancer survivors the opportunity to pursue their post-secondary education from an accredited university, community college or vocational technical school. Call 1-800-227-2345 for an application.
· Transportation Grant Transportation, lodging and food assistance in the form of pre-paid gift cards are offered from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Oregon Affiliate grant to help women travel to breast cancer treatment, screening and diagnostic mammography appointments.
· Cancer Survivors’ Network Created by and for cancer survivors and their families, this online community is a welcoming, safe place for people to find hope and inspiration for others who have “been there.” Services include discussion boards, chat rooms, private and secure CSN e-mails, personal Web pages, and Expression Gallery, and more. You can find the Cancer Survivor Network online at www.cancer.org.
For more information about the Relay for Life or the ACS go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relay_For_Life or www.cancer.org
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