Whether you’re a survivor, family member, friend, or neighbor, you have probably been touched by cancer. While the American Cancer Society (ACS) is making progress toward a world without cancer, only with dedication and fundraising efforts can the fight against the disease come to an end.
Relay for Life of Highland County raises money for the American Cancer Society year around, September through August. They aren’t just fighting one type of cancer, they are fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.
You can help and have fun doing it.
Highland County Relay for Life’s final fundraiser this year for the American Cancer Society is this Saturday Aug. 13. A benefit concert featuring Blue Steel will be held at the Paxton Theatre in Bainbridge starting at 7 p.m. Blue Steel plays classic rock favorites from the ’70s and ’80s. You can purchase your tickets online for $12 at paxtontheatre.com or at the door for $15. A group rate of 10 or more tickets for $10 apiece is also available online or at the door.
To date, 20 teams with 340 participants have raised over $86,000 right here in Highland County. They take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten their loved ones or rob anyone of another birthday. No one should ever have to hear those dreaded words, “You have cancer.”
Your support makes a difference in a variety of ways. Through research, the American Cancer Society has been finding answers that save lives, from changes in lifestyle to new approaches in therapies to improving cancer patients’ quality of life. No single nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization in the U.S. has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer. It doesn’t stop there.
Where to stay and how to afford accommodations are immediate concerns for cancer patients who must travel away from home for the best treatment. American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facilities provide a free and comfortable place for patients and their caregivers to stay so they can focus on getting well. In 2015, the ACS saved 41,000 patients and their caregivers more than $26 million in lodging by providing a free place to stay. Cancer patients frequently cite transportation to and from treatment as one of their most critical needs. The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program matches cancer patients with specially trained volunteer drivers. Last year, 165,000 cancer survivors received rides to treatment, making nearly 200,000 round trips for patients and caregivers. The Look Good…Feel Better service teaches women battling cancer beauty techniques to help them improve their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Volunteer beauty professionals demonstrate makeup techniques, nail care, skin care, and options related to hair loss. Trained patient navigators helped close to 89,000 people last year understand their cancer diagnosis and find the help they need. In addition, one million people called ACS at 1-800-227-2345 and 25 million people visited cancer.org and received valuable cancer information and were connected to the resources they needed.
For more information, contact Tim Koehl, Paxton Theatre, at 937-403-1673 or Mary Washburn, Relay for Life, at 937-661-4689.
Submitted by Mary Washburn, Highland County Relay for Life.
