To celebrate, remember and fight back
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

These flags on display in Chandler represent the number of new cases of cancer diagnosed in Henderson County this past year. They will be in the "Fight Back Ceremony" and will be planted in front of the stage at the Brownsboro Relay for Life event.

The Henderson County Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, will return to the Brownsboro track field May 2. The fundraiser will run from 7 pm to 7 am, an all night event.

Lisa Lemons, a cancer survivor, said the Relay for Life is a time to celebrate the survivors, remember the fallen and fight back at the problem.

"Over 600 people came last year," Lemons said. "This event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, has been going on since 2002."

The program will start with over 50 cancer survivors walking the first lap of the relay. After the first lap, everyone who wants to participate will be able to walk.

Lemons said any who want to know more about the event can contact Trina Miers at 903- 681-6089.

The participants will walk in hour-long shifts, so it won't be necessary to stay overnight.

Luminary bags can be purchased either in honor of a survivor in remembrance of a loved one. These bags will have the word "hope" written on them, and when night falls on the field the bags will be lit to bathe the area in soft light.

Lemons said there will be teams for the relay, and the teams will have a booth at the relay. This is where much of the fundraising will take place. Food and other items will be available for purchase at the booths.

Glenda Bennett, member of the Opelika Missionary Baptist Church team and a cancer survivor herself, said for her, the Relay for Life is about creating awareness for breast cancer prevention.

"It's a way for me to contribute my part to others," Bennett said.

Bennett also said the relay and the issue of cancer is a very important issue. She added contributions made to fundraisers such as the Relay for Life have helped to make great strides in the field of cancer medication and options, resulting in much improvement.

"The contributions have really gone to a worthy cause," Bennett said.

This will be Opelika Missionary Baptist Church's first year as a team to attend the relay, Bennett said, but it will likely not be the last.

"It's touched home personally with so many people," Bennett noted.

Teams are encouraged to raise money for the fundraiser both before and during the event through a variety of methods.

Last year over $59,000 was raised.