Polk County Relay For Life makes a difference in community, for research
by Andy Philpot
Published in the May 24, 2012 issue of The Mena Star
As
Relay For Life is now a well established tradition in Polk County, it
serves many more purposes that meets the eye. Co-chairs of the local
Relay For Life, Regina and Richie Lawry, can tell you that while the
event itself is one weekend of the year, the efforts are a year -round
effort. This year-round effort that the Lawrys have instilled into
making Relay For Life as successful as possible in our communities, the
same commitment is followed by a number of organizations, businesses,
and individuals, who seek to raise as much money as possible for Relay
For Life. This money in turn goes toward cancer research, which in turn
leads to more treatments of the many cancers our friends and family
encounter, which in turn leads to many more birthdays and reasons to
celebrate.
Last year Polk County Relay For Life raised
66,000, which combined with the rest of the Relay For life events that
took place in Arkansas, a total of $4.5 million was raised by Relay For
Life events across the state in 2011. This total gets combined with all
the other Relay For Life events that take place nation-wide, all of
which are raised for the American Cancer Society to use toward cancer
research. With the ultimate goal of one day eliminating the words "You
Have Cancer" being spoken by doctors, it takes a collective effort to
reach this goal.
Keisha Pittman
Helping
to emphasize the significance of every dollar that is raised in
community Relays, two different testimonies were shared at this year's
Polk County Relay For Life. Keisha Pittman, from Arkadelphia, shared
her cancer battle testimony during the opening ceremonies of this year's
Relay, and emphasized that every dollar amount is important toward the
shared goal of defeating cancer. She spoke how community Relay For Life
events in both big cities and smaller towns are all invaluable because
they all go toward the common goal. The funds of Relay For Life are
what helps make continued research and advancements in cancer treatments
possible.
Deidra Porter
Deidra
Porter, of Conway, shared her testimony just before the Luminaria
ceremony, and how her cancer experience has her that much more an
advocate for Relay For Life events throuought the devoted communities.
Porter was diagnosed with cancer, and moments before she was to begin
her first treatment, she learned she was pregnant. Like Pittman,
Porter's testimony was both emotional and inspirational. Porter not
only endured cancer and now can share her story with others, but she
also has a healthy son that has endured the treatments. Sharing the
exact sentiment of Pittman, Porter praised Relay For Life and how every
dollar raised in important to the overall goal of seeking an end to
cancer.
Pittman and Porter traveled to Mena to share
their testimonies with the Polk County Relay For Life participants, and
their stories are added to the always growing list of cancer survivors
that do hear the words "You Have Cancer", but endure the battle and can
proudly wear a purple shirt as they walk the Survivors Lap.
Relay
For Life is held for the purpose of celebrating the survivors,
remembering those we have lost, and giving hope that one day the world
may be cancer free. Through the celebrating and remembering, the
success gets passed along to the American Cancer society through the
fundraising that happens all year long. With each Relay For life that
takes place, it adds to the overall funding that can be used toward
cancer research and treatments.
Gordy Klatt
Relay
For Life has been raising money for the American Cancer Society since
1985, when Gordy Klatt came up with a way to raise funds for his local
American Cancer Society office in Tacoma, Washington, and show support
of all his patients who had battled cancer. He did this by spending 24
hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget
Sound. He ran more than 83 miles and his efforts raised $27,000 to
fight cancer. It has only gotten bigger and better from there.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
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I am so proud of the way you and your wife are changing the world.
ReplyDeleteLove this Rich!