Mayor’s Column: Voorhees Township proud to join Relay for Life of Cherry Hill-Voorhees June 13

Voorhees Township is proud to be joining our friends in Cherry Hill for the first Relay for Life of Cherry Hill-Voorhees on Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Cherry Hill High School East at 1750 Kresson Rd.

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 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 every birthday can be. With your help, the Society is determined to find a cure 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 a 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 day. 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.

To learn more about the Relay or to register for the event, visit www.relayforlife.org/cherryhill-voorheesnj or go to our Facebook page.

We have all been touched in some way by cancer’s devastation. Join us for Relay for Life for Cherry Hill-Voorhees!

** The first show in our 2015 Summer Twilight Series will be on Thursday, June 11 (rain date Thursday, June 18) and will feature Beginnings, the world’s #1 tribute to Chicago. They are billed as “The Ultimate Chicago Band.” The show is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. on the “Great Lawn” at Connolly Park. For more information, visitwww.voorheesnj.com or call the show hot line at 856–882-SHOW.

**The JFCS Right in Our Backyard program will be held on June 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Mansion in Voorhees. The program educates students and parents about developing increased addiction awareness in the community, preventing addiction, and stopping addiction-related deaths. It will feature a panel presentation for teens and their parents and will cover symptoms and effects of addiction, ways to seek help, tools to get out of an uncomfortable situation, disposal methods of prescription narcotics and how to begin the discussion if you or someone you know is suspected of taking drugs. The panel will consist of local law enforcement representatives, parents who have lost children to addiction as well as counselors. The ticket price of $55 per person includes a buffet and two drinks. The event is in memory of Justin Wolfe. All proceeds will go to JFCS to continue bringing awareness, educating and preventing further deaths from addiction as a result of opiates/heroin. Register for the event at http://justinforjustice.org/tickets.

** The Philadelphia Union and Rodizio Grill will host a “Town Takeover” on Monday, June 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Voorhees Town Center in the area between Rodizio Grill and Burger 21. Come out to this free event and meet members of the Philadelphia Union Soccer Team and get autographs. There will also beinteractive inflatable games, giveaways and prizes including restaurant gift cards. You can enter and win a Philadelphia Union ticket package. A large inflatable screen will be showing Union game highlights and WMMR will be there with a live radio broadcast.