Cancer Society thanks Relay For Life participants

Date: 7/7/2009

As the staff partner of this year's American Cancer Society Relay For Life of the Wilbraham Community, I would like to extend my appreciation to the many individuals that attended and supported this year's event at Wilbraham & Monson Academy. More than 570 people participated, helping to raise more than $88,000. While the current economic climate has made fundraising more challenging for everybody, we are continually inspired by the dedication of all of our fellow volunteers who have redoubled their efforts to ensure this year's success.

Relay For Life supports the Society's critical mission to save lives by helping people stay well, by preventing cancer or detecting it early; get well, by being in their corner through every step of their cancer experience; by finding cures, through groundbreaking research and treatment discoveries; and by fighting back, through influencing public policy. The outstanding support received proves that the Wilbraham community is truly committed to the fight against cancer.

We were honored to be joined by the 68 survivors who participated in the opening lap and survivor reception. These survivors are the reason we continue the fight, because each year there can be more and more people celebrating another birthday and living wonderful lives following a diagnosis of cancer.

A special thanks to the many Relay For Life volunteers who worked to make this, the very first event a success. The Relay For Life committee did an outstanding job of putting the event together, including Kayla Peloquin, Steff Robbins, Michelle Glidden and the entire planning committee.

We also appreciate the generosity of our sponsors, including Wilbraham & Monson Academy, All Waste Removal, Monson Savings, Aarons, CW PROductions, Elite Image, Laser Tag Adventures, Kali Yoga, 22News, BusinessWest and Healthcare News, and Valley Advocate.

Again, thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society, and remember it's not too late to turn in any outstanding donations to support this year's event, and never too early to get involved to help us plan for next year! Visit www.relayforlife.org to learn more.

Gregory Thompson, Community Executive/Income Development, American Cancer Society

Holyoke