The Relay For Life, a national fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, will hold an annual Relay in Anderson at Anderson Union High School beginning this year on May 22. While a Relay For Life will continue to be held in Redding, opening the event in Anderson will reach out to South County cancer patients and help recruit volunteer drivers needed to give patients rides both to and from treatments, Regional Relay Manager Bob Logan said. Currently, all the volunteer drivers for Anderson patients live in Redding, Logan added.
"In Anderson, people are not realizing what is available - what our services are," Logan said.
The Relay will help change that.
"It is estimated that 58 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year in Anderson and 26 will not survive," Logan said. "Relay For Life is a 24-hour team fund raising event that honors cancer survivors, makes sure that those lost to cancer are never forgotten and provides an opportunity to save lives by fighting back in your local community."
Countywide, Logan said 975 people will be diagnosed and 440 will not survive.
The American Cancer Society raises funds for cancer research, provides life-saving cancer prevention and early detection messages and honors cancer survivors, according to a society flyer.
The society also provides a variety of services and information for people diagnosed with cancer.
Foremost, Logan listed the 24-hour telephone hotline that provides descriptions of current cancer treatment options, questions for patients to ask doctors so patients can make informed decisions, and information about wigs, walkers, hospital supplies and even housing assistance for when patients must travel for testing.
The Relay for Life event, as in 4,800 other communities in the U.S., includes a 24-hour walking event in which team members take turns walking a portion of the time. Each team raises funds in friendly competition before the event. The event provides more than a relay, however, as the event serves to honor cancer survivors and the memories of cancer victims, event chair Claudia Baum said.
The Relay for Life event seeks volunteers to help run the event as well as form teams to join the Relay. For information, contact Baum at 524-0991.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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