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published on 01/25/2007
Signal Mountain Lions Club Hears About Relay for Life
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| Helen Brell, Ron Nudo, Ashley Tanis and Sheryl Robinson |
Helen Brell, Ashley Tanis and Sheryl Robinson representing the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life were the speakers for the evening. King Lion Ron Nudo introduced them.
Ms. Tanis explained that Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature fund-raising event, bringing communities together in hope, celebration and memory. It is a unique event that offers everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. The overnight event remembers those who have lost the fight against cancer and honors those who have survived. In 2005, Relay For Life events nationwide raised more than $300 million.
Relay For Life will be held on Signal Mountain, on May 18-19, 2007, at the Signal Mountain Middle School. Teams of people will camp out at the track and take turns walking and running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event, because "cancer never sleeps". The Relay will start at 7:00 PM on Friday, May 18 and last until 7:00 AM Saturday, May 19.
Relay For Life is a community event; everyone is encouraged to participate. Ten to 15 people form teams from businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and service organizations. These people share a common purpose - their support of the American Cancer Society's mission. Each participant is encouraged to raise at least $100 for the American Cancer Society by taking pledges.
In Tennessee alone more than 31,080 people are expected to be stricken with the disease this year and 12,910 people will die. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and one of every three deaths is from cancer. Since 1990, nearly 17 million new cancer cases have been diagnosed. In the United States, men have a one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer; for women the risk is one in three. Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated.
Relay is more than a walk around a track. It is a time to remember those lost to cancer and celebrate those who have survived. It is a night for people who have shared the same experience to comfort and console one another. During this event, we honor survivors during the Survivors Lap and we remember those we lost to cancer during the Luminaria Ceremony. We also celebrate life, friendship, and a chance to work together toward a cancer-free future. Most importantly, Relay gives you the power to help in the fight against cancer. By joining together as volunteers and donors, our efforts help the American Cancer Society strive toward a future where cancer doesn't take the lives of our friends and family.
Awards will be given for Best Campsite, Most Team Spirit, Top Fundraising Team, and Top Fundraising Individual.
In other news, Lion Chris Cole reported that Signal Mountain Lions collected almost 100 pair of glasses on the mountain in January and turned them in for recycling at the Hamilton County Sight Service Association meeting on January 18. The Association collected almost 1,000 pair of glasses in January. At their next meeting in February, the HCSSA will present a certificate of appreciation to the Lens Crafter Stores at Hamilton Place, Northgate and Brainerd for the continued support of the Lions efforts to provide glasses to the needy. Each store donates 12-15 pair of glasses each year to people sent there by HCSSA.
Lion Curtiss Hewlett reported the Lions District 12-O Eye Bank held its board meeting on January 21 and director Sandy Freeman reported the Eye Bank was busier in the Oct-Dec quarter than Jul-Sept. They supplied tissue for 21 cornea transplants and received 17 donations from nine local hospitals. 73% of the donors were male and 27% female. The youngest donor was 15 years old and the oldest donor was 65. 71% of the recipients were female and 29% male. The youngest recipient was 6 years old and oldest was 91. The Eye Bank is a stand alone 501(c)(3) and accepts personal donations and memorials.
Next meeting of the Signal Mountain Lions is February 13, 6:30 PM at the MACC. Dr. Steve Monroe with the Signal Mountain High School Founders Fund will be the speaker.
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