Relay For Life celebrates kick-off with food, fellowship

Left, Evelyn Bolding opened her barn for the Relay for Life Kickoff, with cooks India Stroope, Tine Zapata and Nina Fern Nichols The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Gregg County South held its 2009 Kick-Off on Nov. 10 at the Bolding Barn on Danville Road. Eighty guests comprised of relay sponsors, committee members, teams from last year, new teams and other interested individuals attended the event.

Prior to the evening's program, the group enjoyed Mexican "stackups" with all the trimmings, prepared and served by India Stroope, Nina Fern Nichols, Tine Zapata and Margaret Martin.

Following the American Cancer Society theme of "Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back," Jackie Fout, chair of the Relay For Life of Kilgore, began the program by "Celebrating" as she introduced the relay committees, recognized all survivors and caregivers, and all teams and sponsors.

Steve Brown, co-chair, reminded the group that everyone is touched by cancer, either personally, through a family member, friend or co-worker. He spoke about the heroes in each person's life and encouraged everyone to select one person as their hero who is a cancer survivor, or who is currently fighting cancer, or who has lost the fight, and "Celebrate" that person as their personal reason for working in relay.

Below, Jackie Fout, Relay for Life chairman; Rhonda Davis, a Regional Hero For Hope; and Steve Brown, Relay co-chairman. Survivors' stories were given by Joyce Speers, a local survivor and a member of the City of Kilgore police and firefighter team Guns & Hoses, and Rhonda Davis, a former Miss Texas and current Hero For Hope representing the Northeast Texas Region. Each woman spoke of her fight against cancer and the many ways involvement with Relay For Life had influenced them, providing purpose and hope for the fight.

Rachel Conner continued the "Celebration" with a report of relay's local financial progress. Conner noted that since its beginning in 2003, Relay For Life of Kilgore has raised a total of $551,878.55. Further, for the third year in a row, Kilgore was recognized at the recent Relay For Life University in Lufkin as having the largest per capita amount donated in 2008, beating out larger cities in the region. Conner reminded the group the money raised by Relay For Life is used for research, education, advocacy and patient services.

Kelly Watson, Community Manager for Development from the American Cancer Society's Tyler office, recognized 7-year-old Brannon Russell of Kilgore who raised $15,926, the most raised in the region by an individual.

Linda Richey, also of the Tyler ACS office, is responsible for the Health Initiative for Education. She presented awards to Linda Sartor, Ruth Anne and Jerry Camp, and Claud Wallace for their untiring contribution as Road to Recovery Drivers of Kilgore. These individuals log thousands of miles yearly taking cancer patients round trip from their homes to treatment.

Continuing the evening's theme with "Remember," Melissa Sechrist and Jennifer Russell presented a Luminaria Ceremony remembering those who have lost their fight with cancer and honoring those still in the fight.

Rounding out the program, Amy Bates challenged those in attendance with a 25th Hour Presentation as a personal way to "Fight Back" against cancer. Bates suggested that each one choose one hour a week or one hour a month, perhaps on the 25th, as their personal "25th hour" of the day to use for Relay For Life.

Teams are continuing to form for this year's Relay For Life. Last year, Kilgore formed 25 teams and organizers hope to increase that number for the April 2009 relay. Teams come from all walks of life: businesses, civic groups, schools, churches and others, and they are all ages. The fee for all student/youth teams is $50. The fee for adult teams is $50 until Dec. 31 and $100 thereafter. (Fees help cover the costs of printing registration materials and other event overhead costs.)

Team captains from last year, other individuals interested in forming teams or those needing more information are encouraged to contact Jackie Fout at 903-984-6986 or email her at j.fout@yahoo.com. You can also visit www.Relay- ForLife.org to connect with other relayers in your community and across the nation.

Also, anyone needing information or services from the American Cancer Society may call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.