Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Stoddard County, set to begin at 4:00 pm, May 2nd through 2:00 am, May 3rd at West City Park in Dexter, is a celebration of cancer survivorship and a fun way to raise the vital funds needed to help find a cure for cancer. The event will celebrate the lives of so many local residents who have survived cancer, while offering the hope of finding a cure.
“The Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:00 pm with a survivors’ lap where cancer survivors and their caregivers will take a victory lap around the track. The involvement of local cancer survivors is proof of the progress that has been made in improving cancer survival rates and the quality of life following cancer treatment,” said Shanna Gilberto, Community Manager, for the American Cancer Society. A candlelight ceremony also takes place to honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost the fight against this disease. The candle lighting will begin Friday night at approximately 10:00 pm, luminaria bags for the ceremony can be purchased at the event.
Relay For Life is an overnight community event bringing together teams of families, friends, churches, neighborhoods, and businesses – all with the same goal of conquering cancer. Teams of walkers keep a continuous presence on the track throughout the night, walking in shifts to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.A full agenda of entertainment is planned, including music, team fundraising activities, fun theme laps and contests all night long. Relay For Life is a handicapped-accessible event.
Funds raised during Relay For Life help support the American Cancer Society’s mission of eliminating cancer by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.
Helping you stay well. Finding cancer early can mean the difference between life and death. The Society helps you take steps to prevent cancer or detect it at its earliest and provide the most up-to-date information about how to reduce your cancer risk by healthy lifestyle choices. Contact 1-800-227-22345 or cancer.org for more information.
Helping you get well. Having cancer is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be. The Society is in your corner, around the clock to guide you through your cancer experience. The Society can help patients and their families make informed decisions about care, find moral support from others who have been there and offer practical solutions to daily challenges.
Finding cures. The Society funds and conducts groundbreaking research that helps scientists understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it. The Society is the largest private fundraiser of cancer research.
Fighting Back. Cancer is not just a health issue, but a political issue. The Society advocates for people to have access to critical cancer screenings and follow-up treatment – regardless of income. Some examples include: increasing government funding for cancer research, establishing smoke-free policies, and improving access to affordable, quality healthcare.
Relay For Life of Stoddard County would also like to invite all survivors to join us as we celebrate life at our annual Cancer Survivor’s Dinner. The dinner honoring local survivors will be held on Tuesday, April 29th at 6:00 pm, at the Lighthouse Church in Dexter, MO. Survivors and a guest are invited to join us for dinner, entertainment, and door prizes. Please RSVP to Nikki Finch, by calling 573-614-1401.
