Logan County Relay For Life kicks off 2015 campaign “Ready - Set - Go for the Cure”

[February 02, 2015]  LINCOLN - In its 30 year history, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life has raised $4.5 billion. As their website notes, “Every year, more than 4 million people come together at Relay For Life events around the world to support the American Cancer Society and help finish the fight against cancer.”

As the 2015 Logan County Relay for Life kicked off, workers, survivors, and caretakers learned many inspiring facts about the work done over the years.

Following a potluck dinner, Rachel Ray, a Relay for Life specialist from the Springfield American Cancer Society office, introduced team leaders, acknowledged the hard work it takes to make the Relay work, and initiated team registrations.

Relays are the most impactful, raising approximately $400 million each year. She described the productive ways in which the funds will be distributed, highlighting some of the resources it provides such as a 24-hour-hotline with trained cancer information specialist, the cancer.org website, lodging, and online communities.

Statistics from 2013 show that the funds helped provide more than 380,000 rides to and from treatment or medical appointments and saved patients more than $38 million in lodging costs by providing patients a free place to stay when they had to travel for treatment.

Ray also noted several goals for this year’s Relay including raising $65,000 in gross income; having 27 teams participating; having 350 participants; and getting at least 200 survivors involved. She would also like to have 40 new ASC CAN members. According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, “ACS CAN empowers regular people to be part of the growing national movement that is fighting back against cancer.”

Two of the local leaders filling roles in this year's Relay encouraged people to join in the fight. 'People Lead' Tonita Reifsteck talked about sharing the work and sharing the vision, reminding everyone that it is a team effort.

'Experience Lead' Devin Vannoy encouraged people to just jump in and do it.

Five people stood when Esther Boward recognized the cancer survivors present for the evening. A 20-year-old survivor named Tabitha shared that she was diagnosed with cancer at age three-and-a-half following what was supposed to be a routine tonsillectomy. She said that since then, several other family members have also had cancer. The Relay For Life for her has been a family event for the last 16 years.

For Logan County teen Samantha Cooley, the Relay has also been a family event since she was born. She was a team captain in sixth grade and this year will serve in the role of 'Youth Champion,' helping to engage youth in the Relay For Life fundraising opportunities through Relay Recess for kindergarten through fourth grades, Relay Field Day for fifth through eighth grades, and Coaches vs. Cancer at the junior high or high school level. For more information, contact Samantha at [e-mail].

Cheryl McGill is this year’s 'Sponsorship Lead' and will go through the county to get sponsorships from businesses for teams and individual participants. Businesses can provide sponsorships at various levels between $100 and $5,000. To make any “Sponsorship Asks,” please contact Cheryl at [e-mail]  first.

Tammy Dietrich is the 'Online Lead' and will send out Fundraising Friday emails every week to registered participants who have provided email addresses. Please contact Tammy at [e-mail]  to have your fundraiser included in her communications.

A video montage of past relays around the world reminded everyone of the power of one—just one life can make a difference. See how you can help fight cancer by visiting www.cancer.org/fight

One of the big changes for the Logan County Relay this year, is that it will not be an all night, overnighter. The 2015 Logan County Relay For Life will take place at Lincoln College on Saturday, June 20 from 12 noon to midnight.

You can find more information on the website for the Logan County Relay at www.relayfor life.org/loganil  or contact Carolyn Motley, [phone], to sign up your team. Meetings have been scheduled for each month up to the June Relay For Life.

[Angela Reiners]