Mayor’s Column: second annual Relay for Life

I am proud to announce that Voorhees will be hosting the second annual Relay for Life of Voorhees at Eastern Regional High School from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 31, until 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 1.

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 fact, right here in South Jersey, 208 people in the region or 54 people in Camden County are diagnosed with cancer each week. In 2013, almost 11,000 people in South Jersey and 2,800 in Camden County will hear the daunting words “you have cancer.”

This year the American Cancer Society is turning 100 years old. 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 make this cancer’s last century. With Relay for Life, you can help finish the fight.

Relay for Life is an overnight, community event where teams of families, 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, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day, cancer will be eliminated.

All interested should attend the next Relayer meeting on Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in the Voorhees Town Hall’s main conference room.

For more information on the Relay for Life of Voorhees please email Dianna Coscette at dianna.coscette@cancer.org, call 616–1651, ext. 3125 or visit www.relayforlife.org/voorheesnj

We have all been touched in some way by cancer’s devastation. Join us at the next meeting so we can build momentum toward our Relay for Life of Voorhees on May 31 to June 1.