Mayor’s Column: Community will be hosting 2015 Relay for Life of Voorhees at Eastern Regional High School on Friday, June 12
I am proud to announce that our community will be hosting the 2015 Relay for Life of Voorhees at Eastern Regional High School from 6 p.m. on Friday, June 12 until 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.
A Kick-Off Rally will be held at the Voorhees Diner on Route 73 on Tuesday evening, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. Join us to begin building momentum for the Relay.
The mission of Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society is to save lives and create a world with more birthdays by helping people get well, helping people stay well, finding cures and fighting back. More than 12 million cancer survivors in America, and countless others who have avoided cancer, will celebrate a birthday this year thanks in part to progress the American Cancer Society is making.
While the Society has made great strides with the cancer death rate rapidly declining over the last 20 years, there is still much work to be done. In South Jersey, 208 people in the region or 54 people in Camden County are diagnosed with cancer each week. In 2015, almost 11,000 people in South Jersey and 2,800 in Camden County will hear the daunting words, “You have cancer.”
As the official sponsor of birthdays, the Society knows how important each and every birthday can be. With your help, the Society is determined to finish and make this cancer’s last century. With Relay for Life, you can help finish the fight.
Started in 1985, Relay for Life began with one man who circled around a track for 24 hours, raising $27,000. This year, Relay for Life has grown to more than 5,000 communities and over 25 countries worldwide.
Relay for Life is an overnight, community event where teams of family, friends and neighbors circle a track to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those lost to cancer and join together as a community to fight back. The event kicks off with the Survivor Lap to celebrate and honor our survivors. At dusk is the Luminaria Ceremony, where hundreds of white bags are illuminated by candlelight to honor those who have won the battle against cancer or remember those who are no longer with us. Along with ceremonies, there is food, games and music to keep the Relay going throughout the night. Relay for Life represents hope in that those lost to cancer will not be forgotten, those who face cancer will be supported, and one day cancer will be eliminated.
As in years past, “Team Mignogna” will again be participating in honor of family and friends who have battled cancer.
To learn more about the Relay or to register for the event, visit www.relayforlife.org/voorheescamdenconj or visit the Facebook page for Relay for Life of Voorhees Camden County NJ.
We have all been touched in some way by cancer’s devastation. Join us at the Kick-Off Rally at the Voorhees Diner at 8 p.m. on Feb. 10 and let’s gear up for the 2015 Relay for Life of Voorhees on June 12 and June 13!
