LINCOLNTON – In what was clearly a proud moment for organizers of Lincoln County’s Relay for Life, the local event was recently awarded the National American Cancer Society “Power of Hope” Award for survivor participation.
The award recognizes Lincoln County’s Relay for Life because over 600 registered cancer survivors have participated in the annual event.
Cheryl Burgess, who served as the 2009 event chair for Lincolnton’s Relay, said that recognition was a great honor and a tribute to area survivors.
“The reason that our county has been so successful with Relay is because of our survivors. We honor them, celebrate them and remember those that have lost the battle,” said Burgess.
Pictured here are (front, l-r) Leary & Brenda Robinson, Gaynell Beacham, (back,l-r) John Dancoff, Cheryl Burgess and Craig Price.
Survivors are registered with each event throughout the fundraising season, provided with a very special survivor celebration dinner, wear special purple t-shirts and kick-off each event with the opening laps dedicated solely to all the survivors and their caregivers according to Burgess.
The “Power of Hope” award went to Lincoln County, which holds events throughout the county and is coordinated by the Lincolnton and East Lincoln Relay for Life organizers. Lincoln County won the award in the population category of 60,000-74,999.
To celebrate and announce the award were 2009 Survivor Chairs Leary and Brenda Robinson for the Lincolnton event and Gaynell Beachem for the East Lincoln Event. They were joined by Burgess, John Dancoff, who will chair Lincolnton for 2010 and Craig Price, who will chair the East Lincoln event for 2010.
Melanie Leone, who served as the 2009 East Lincoln event chair, could not attend the announcement.
Dancoff, who has served previously as an event chair, said that the cooperation across the county contributes to how successful both events have been in the past.
“We just all work well together for the same cause,” he said. “We have people participating in both events and at many of the smaller fundraisers throughout the year.”
Price agreed.
“We have good cooperation and we are trying to build on that,” he said.
Organizers also wanted to stress that Relay events are always open to everyone. From people who just want to show support, to survivors, care-givers and anyone else.
“The most important thing is that we want to show to those who have just been diagnosed there is hope,” said Burgess.
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By Jason Saine
