Relay for Life holds 2010 kickoff

Janet Morales

The Relay for Life of Randolph County held its kickoff meeting Monday, February 22.

The Relay for Life is an annual event held in the fight against cancer. The Relay brings people of all walks of life together “for a common goal, a hope for one day of a cancer free world”. This year’s Randolph County Relay will be held June 4-5.

Teams take turns – or relay – around the Moberly High School track for approximately 14 hours honoring those who have beaten cancer and remembering those who did not. Funds are raised for cancer research, prevention, education, advocacy and patient services.

Cancer survivors start off each Relay with a Survivor’s Lap. Those wishing to participate should mail a form for a t-shirt to Dorinda Dameron, Relay for Life, 2735 CR 2410, Armstrong, MO 65230, drop off a form at Art’s Appliance & Furniture on Highway 24 West or register online at www.relayforlife.org/randolphcomo. Shirts this year sport a birthday theme: “Happy Birthday” is a Victory Song.

“We want to celebrate that you’re still with us,” said Janie Riley, a long-time Relay supporter. “The best thing for me is when they come into the store to pick up their shirts. I have met so many people and they have such unique stories and they are willing to share them.”

Like Becky Wolverton who was at Monday night’s meeting. Becky is a 15-year cancer survivor. And she is only 17. She is a student at Westran High School and has no trouble spelling or pronouncing rhabdomyosarcoma, the cancer she was diagnosed with at the age of 18 months.

Last year there were 215 cancer survivors participate in the Relay, “the most we’ve ever had,” said Riley. Thirty-three teams raised a total of $71,651.

Team captain meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., March 8, at Gratz Brown Elementary with a committee meeting to follow.

For more information contact one of the following: Steve and Molly Nuhn at 660-263-5807 email: msnuhn@swbell.net; Gina Mulnix, 263-7703, email: mulnixgm@yahoo.com; Tim Layton 573-248-6527 winston960@hotmail.com or Angela Rehagen 573-443-0979 angela.rehagen@cancer.org.