Greene County Relay for Life Honors Cancer Victims

XENIA, OH - An estimated 1,500 people die of cancer every day in the United States. Since 1913, the American Cancer Society has worked steadily for cancer research and prevention. The Relay For Life is the organization's single largest fundraising event.

The Greene County Relay For Life is an overnight event taking place from 6 p.m. on August 14 until noon on the 15th at Shawnee Park in Xenia. Camping out at a local high school, park, or fairgrounds teams take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

The American Cancer Society was founded by 15 well-known New York City doctors and business leaders and originally known as the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC). The name changed in 1945 after reorganization and today, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS serves as a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization with state divisions and more than 3,400 local offices.

Melissa Spangler of American Family Insurance is the chairperson for Greene County Relay For Life. She has been working with the event for the last three years in various capacities. "I have been involved with relay since I was in High School," Spangler said, who is originally from West Virginia. "The purpose of relay is to honor and celebrate survivors, honor ones we have lost in the battle, raise awareness and raise money to help fund research, patient navigators (people who help in assistance of those with cancer), education, classes."

The Relay For Life began in 1985 with colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordy Klatt of Tacoma, Washington. In an effort to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and show support for his patients, Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound.

Before a crowd of more than 300 of his family, friends and patients, Klatt covered 83 miles and raised $27,000. Today, relays are held in 19 countries and include teams of volunteers who take turns "running" during events that can continue for up to 24 hours.

"Running," however, may not be the best way to describe what participants will be doing. "With (the Greene County Relay) being 18 hours, the overall goal is to have someone from your team walking at all times with the motto Cancer Never Sleeps," Spangler explained. "At least one person from each team is asked to be walking around the pond at all times in honor of that outlook."

Teams can still sign up for the relay and other activities are also planned. "We will be having a silent auction going on and seeking donations," Spangler said. Spectators are welcome to come out in support of the participants as well as those selling food and gifts or holding raffles to benefit the American Cancer Society.

"Also luminaries are available for purchase for $10 to honor someone battling cancer now, or someone we have lost," added Spangler. The candles inside the luminaries are lit and each one is placed around the pond to burn all night, illuminating the honoree's name on the outside.

Spangler noted that those involved with the Relay help people in their own community. "The people of Greene County benefit as some of the money raised stays within the county for the programs the American Cancer Society provides for the community members who battle cancer," she said. "Everyone benefits from the research money that is distributed to help find a cure for this disease."

There is still time to get involved with the event. For more information call Melissa Spangler at (937) 433-2600, Rachel Zink at (888) 227-6446 ext. 4207, or go online to www.relayforlife.org/greenecounty.