Article 15

American Cancer Society®

Announces Relay for Life

San Marcos walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. This celebration of life brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together for a unified effort to fight back.

Teams of enthusiastic citizens will gather at San Marcos High School for an overnight relay against cancer from 9:00 a.m. on April 12, 2008 until 10:00 a.m. on April 13.

Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life — including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, churches and community volunteers — to join together to fight cancer. Relay For Life reminds us that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference.

Relay For Life opens as cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) walk or wheelchair the first lap. This is an emotional and joyous time and sets the stage for the importance of each participant's contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops around the track area at these events. As you make new friends and spend time with old ones, the Relay heats up and the camp-out begins. An atmosphere of camaraderie is created with team members entertaining each other: rallying to music, eating, playing games, and, of course, walking for a great cause.

Highlighting the evening is the Luminaria Ceremony held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. The luminaria line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.

“Relay For Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fund raiser,” said Dawn Durbin, event chair and cancer survivor. “Many of the participants will be people who have been dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made in reducing cancer death rates and in the quality of life following cancer treatment. “While fundraising is key to all ACS does, what is most important to me is that we honor survivors for this event and we want to see as many of them out here as possible. The funds raised will enable us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer through educational programs, research and services to patients,” said Dawn. “Due to the generosity of corporate sponsors, the money raised by participants goes directly to the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving programs.”

For information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life of San Marcos is available from Dawn Durbin, event chair, at 760-470-3720, or e-mail her at Acsdawn@gmail.com.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. SMM

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