2010 Relay For Life by Hersam Acorn

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�� • Schedules • Sponsors • Teams • Letters From Survivors and more!

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Cindy Marsh...................Event Co-Chair, Advocacy Co-Chair Erica Rogers ....................Event Co-Chair, Advocacy Co-Chair Sandy O’Neill ..................... Opening and Closing Ceremonies Joanne Holden..................................Team Development Chair Gail Harwood ...................................... Survivorship Co-Chair Paige Kwasniak..................................... Survivorship Co-Chair Kalen DeRoo .........................................................Online Chair Cindy Tifft ................................................................Food Chair Nick Cave..................................................... Logistics Co-Chair Bob Gorry .................................................... Logistics Co-Chair Lynn Leibe .............................................................. Sponsorship Mary Morrissey ...........................................Publicity Co-Chair Erica Rogers .................................................Publicity Co-Chair Connie Smith .......................................... Relay Store Co-Chair Eileen Main ............................................. Relay Store Co-Chair Claudia Atwood ............................................... Youth Activities Cathy Gee Graney ............................................ Youth Activities Kelly Lewin....................................................... Youth Activities Starr Nacham .............................................................. Secretary Ray Crosier ......................................................... Entertainment Jennifer ....................................................................... Luminary Wendy Watson .............................................. Accounting Chair

2010 SPONSORS STATE

DIAMOND SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS Anytime Fitness Hemmings Motor News Radiology Associates of Bennington Vermont Composites, Inc. Vermont Country Store

Plasan E-Z Way Rental TriState Pennysaver News Moose Lodge Claudia Atwood

SILVER SPONSORS A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication

Synergy Gas Energizer TAM, Inc.

Bennington Health & Rehab Center Sarah Dahl, MD Charles Salem, MD

Mary A. Garcia, cover design Melissa Miller, page design TriState Pennysaver News 109 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201 802-447-3381 Vermont News Guide 99 Bonnet Street, Manchester, VT 05254 802-362-3535 Berkshire Penny Saver Yankee Shopper

BRONZE AND IN-KIND SPONSORS Abacus Automation Love, Cody & Company, CPAs RBC Capital Markets Corporation E.P. Mahar & Sons, Inc. Taconic Orthopaedics D.B. McKenna & Co., Inc. Missionary Alliance Church Martin’s Gulf & Laser Car Wash Vishay Tansitor Electronics, Inc. Bennington Sports and Graphics Brenda Jones Real Estate North Hoosick Fire Department Wings of Love

RE-Max Maple Leaf Realty Wills Insurance Agency Friendly’s Your Belly’s Deli Walmart Hannaford Applejack Real Estate Management Totally Tents Irene Goyette CLS Transportation Price Chopper Peppermills

Renee Tassone, General Manager

SPONSORS OF THE SURVIVOR MEDALS Pappa Pete’s Bennington Lanes Billy T’s Northside Dairy Bar

Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Relay For Life 2010

2010 TEAMS

- Schedule of Events 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Team Set-Up

12:00 p.m. - ?????

Food for sale in Booster Club

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Team Registration, Final Money Collection, Registration for Team Cheer, Most laps walked & run by an individual (Lanyards for sale at Hemmings Tent #3 includes beads for each lap walked or run) Chaperone/Youth registration. Relay Store is open under the Main Tent. Check out Relay items for sale.

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. - dark

Youth Activities:

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Survivor Reception & Registration All Cancer Survivors are invited to come join us under the Survivor Tent. Have supper and receive t-shirts & medals at this time. Invite your caregiver or guest. Luminaria will be on sale under the Main Tent Motorcycle Club Arrives

No activities will take place during the opening ceremony

5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

to donate money raised by Saturday’s Ride

6:00 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies: Welcome by Opening & Closing Ceremonies Chair - Sandy O’Neill Guest Speaker: Michael Algus, M.D. Guest Speaker: Vickie Harris, caregiver Opening Song by Noble & Ryan Levesque, Doris LeBlanc & “The Wings of Love” Lighting of Cauldron: by past event chairs Survivor Lap - Girl Scouts will lead survivors with Jim Derby & company Caregiver/Survivor Lap School/Youth Lap *All team members and guests, please suspend activities and line the outside of the track until these laps are complete*

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Relay Store is open under the Main Tent

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Luminaria will be on sale under the Main Tent

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Advocacy - Become a member of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network - $10 and filled form will qualify you for a chance to win a gift basket. Also, come sign a cancelled check to go to Washington.

8:00 p.m.

White Coat Lap - to honor all medical personnel involved.

8:30 p.m.

Start lighting Luminaries

9:30 p.m.

Luminaria ceremony will begin. Song by: Katie Beck Survivor Torchbearers: Jean Hathaway & Wendy Constantino Caregiver Torchbearers: Ann Betit & Frank Stratton Song by: John Mook

Anne Marie’s Angels Anytime Fitness AT&T of Bennington Bayada Nurses Bear Construction Bennington Choppers Bennington Health & Rehab Bennington Rugby Club Brass and Woodwind Hospital Charles’ Dahls Deet’s Crew Earth’s Angels Ella’s Eagles Fighting Irish Flutterbies Gail’s Gang Grande Family & Friends H.E.R.O.S Hannaford Hathaway Electric Healers from Here Hemmings Motor News Hoosier Hopefuls Hope - Stone Wall Cancer Ice Kreme Kafe Independent Order of Oddfellows

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*All team members and guests are invited to walk the track during the lap of silence. Please no running at this time.*

10:00 p.m. Pizza will be available for team members at the concession stand 10:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Relay Store is open under the Main Tent 11:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m.

TEAM CHEER - Put your name in the bowl at the concession stand if you are staying the night for a chance to win prizes Wear your favorite sports team’s outfit

1:00 a.m.

Hawaii Lap - grass skirts and leis

2:00 a.m.

Purple Lap - how purple can you be?

3:00 a.m.

Halloween Lap - what’s your favorite costume?

4:00 a.m.

P.J. Lap - appropriate night wear!

5:00 a.m.

Crazy Hat Lap - how crazy is yours? Wear to closing ceremonies.

5:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m.

The Moose Club will be serving breakfast for team members at the concession stand Music resumes with Ray Crosier Turn in our team cheer votes and show your lap band beads to qualify for award certificates - at the Main Tent

6:30 a.m.

Victory Lap - Come walk the final lap!

7:00 a.m.

Closing Ceremonies: Words of Thanks - Sandy O’Neill Recognition of Sponsors & Teams Awards and Contest Winners Announced

Relay For Life 2010

Laps for Laura Lights for Lara Lillie’s Leapsters Luminarians/Fran’s Footprints MAUHS Cross Country MAUHS Interact Maurice’s Fashion Friends Missionary Alliance Church Missy’s Wild Ones Moore’s Stride for Strattons OK Corral Plasan Poppa’s Pals Porta-Brace Family & Friends R. John Wright Dolls, Inc. Southern Vermont Storm Stubby’s Shining Stars SVHC Crusaders Team Best Friends Team Delight Team Thibodeau The Turning Point Club Valarie’s Team Spirit Walking Wishers WMAH Worth a Chance

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Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Youth Community Fights Back Against Cancer

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The youth community of Bennington County has answered the call to fight cancer. Children and young adults from local schools are raising funds for Relay For Life, while learning valuable life lessons along the way. Seven years ago, Sandy O’Neill, a nurse who has worked with cancer patients, approached the Relay For Life Planning Committee with the idea of involving local schools. The plan took off with help from her daughter, second grader Abbie, who started her own Relay For Life team, the Riptides, with several of her friends. Over the years, youth participation at Relay has grown. Abbie, now a sophomore, will walk with her high school team, proud of her team’s $3,000 fundraising effort. “The kids have done a fabulous job,” said Sandy O’Neill, chair of the Relay Opening and Closing Ceremonies. “They have raised a tremendous amount of money, and they get why they do it.” Through coin drops, contests, bake sales, plant sales, and other fun fundraising activities, public and private preschools, primary, and secondary schools are raising money for the American Cancer Society. Not immune to the widespread effects of cancer, students are finding they can make a difference. “They learn to help others,” said Gail Harwood, teacher at Molly Stark Elementary School in Bennington and 12-year breast cancer survivor. “They share what they have, and they learn to be a part of the community.” At Relay For Life, the schools and youth organizations, including Molly Stark Elementary, Shaftsbury Elementary, Monument Elementary, Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales, Woodford Hollow School, Farmhouse Preschool, Berlin Central School, St. Mary’s, North Bennington, and Interact Club, will come together to make their donations – pennies, nickels, and dimes acceptable. The participating students will carry their school banner, receiving special recognition while they walk an opening lap. “The kids get a good feeling that they’re helping,” Harwood said, “and they gain awareness that cancer is beatable when they see the hundreds of survivors at Relay. There are cures, and the money they raise helps.” Relay For Life of Bennington County welcomes school and youth participation. Children’s activities will be held Saturday evening, June 26. To join the opening lap with your school or youth organization, or for more information, contact Sandy O’Neill at 802-442-4530.

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Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Relay For Life 2010

Bennington International Motorcycle Club Rides For Cancer Participants of the Fourth Annual Bennington International Motorcycle Club Poker Run benefiting the American Cancer Society will hit the road at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 26, for a 125 mile bike ride. Their journey will take them from Bennington through the Vermont countryside with a final stop at Mt. Anthony Union High School, the site of the 14th annual Relay For Life of Bennington County, where the bikers will make their contribution to help fight cancer. Run founders Ed “Batman” Ratz, Steve “The Pirate” Love, Robin Andrews, and Lissa “Hotrocks” Stark felt compelled to join the fight against cancer in 2006 when learning that the probability for an individual to develop or die from cancer in their lifetime is 1 in 3. “We looked at our little group,” said Ratz, “and thought, that could be one of us. We need to do all we can get a handle on this crisis.” Each year, the event attracts bikers, including some cancer survivors, from across Vermont and its neighboring states. The day kicks off with breakfast and a free safety check at 9 a.m. at Ronnies Cycle Shop in Bennington. One hundred percent of the $20 entry fee per bike will be donated to Relay For Life. Participants collect a playing card at each of the five stops along the bike route, including the lunch stop at The Vermont Country Store in Weston, with the chance to win a cash prize for the best poker hand. As always, the bikers will cruise into Relay, in time for the opening laps, to walk the track together, proudly displaying their club banner. “You never know which dollar is going to make the cure,” said Ratz, whose Poker Run has raised more than $1,000 annually. “It’s so inspiring when you see what the money does - what it goes for. It makes you want to do more.”

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The Poker Run will take place rain or shine. To make a donation, or to join the Poker Run, visit www.bmicvt.org.

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Relay For Life 2010

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Lighting the Way for Hope

When the sun sets over the track at Mt. Anthony Union High School on Saturday, June 26, 12,000 luminary will light the evening sky, each one representing a life in the community touched by cancer. For years, luminary were a glowing memorial to the loved ones lost to the disease. Today, more and more luminary are purchased in celebration of the 11 million cancer survivors nationwide. “We’re making progress in the fight against cancer.” said Jennifer, 15year volunteer veteran and annual chair of the Luminary Committee who lost her mother to lung cancer, but celebrates the survivorship

of her husband, Charlie. “This community cares. It’s all about the people.” The Relay For Life Luminary Ceremony, a ritual at Relay For Life, will begin at nightfall. The words “Hope” and “Cure” will fittingly light up the bleachers, while thousands of luminary bags, each one displaying the name of someone to be honored, illuminate the path for the lap of silence which follows. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” reflected Jennifer. “It says to people, ‘You are not alone. You never have to worry. We’re all in this together.’” “Year after year, Bennington County volunteers do an amazing job of selling luminary and making the Luminary Ceremony a respectful tribute to cancer survivors, caregivers, and those who lost their cancer battle,” said Erin Martin, American Cancer Society staff partner. “This community comes through with generous hearts like no other. Every donation counts – each one will help save lives.” A $5 luminary donation to the American Cancer Society will support patient services, such as free rides to and from medical appointments, cancer support groups, and summer camps for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings, as well as fund more than $1 million in cancer research at Vermont institutions. “Luminary are an important gesture of love,” Jennifer said.

To purchase a luminary, visit www.relayforlife.org/benningtonvt, click on 2010 Luminary Form in the left column.

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Relay For Life 2010

Local Animal Hospital Knows It’s ‘Worth a Chance’ Still mourning the loss of a beloved and respected colleague, and now embroiled in a battle to save the life of a four-legged friend fighting cancer, the staff at West Mountain Animal Hospital has once again united behind the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Bennington County to help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Dr. Anna Worth, co-founder of the WMAH with her husband, Dr. Bob Bergman, lost her battle with cancer on May 16, 2009. She was the motivation behind the staff’s participation in Relay last year, for which they raised $11,000 in support of American Cancer Society patient services, education, and life-saving cancer research. “Anna was the reason we started a team,” said ‘WMAH Worth a Chance’ Relay Team Captain and hospital employee Jennifer Billert. “Her passing inspired the staff. We know she would have been proud of what we did.” To raise money toward their $15,000 fundraising goal this year, the staff has been very creative, holding two nail trim clinics, a raffle for a pair of Bogs boots, bake sales every day of the week, and sales of luminary tributes in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, including pets. “There are several cancers which relate to both animals and humans,” said Billert, whose hospital is currently treating a seven year old Golden Retriever with chemotherapy. “We have a couple of dogs that are cancer survivors. We’ve all been affected in one way or another by cancer.” The 19-member Relay team, including Dr. Anna’s son, Dr. Bo Bergman, now on staff at WMAH, continues the fight against cancer by sponsoring a tag sale, open to the public, on Saturday, June 5, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1726 Harwood Hill. All donations will benefit the American Cancer Society. Sporting team ‘WMAH Worth a Chance’ mock scrub T-shirts, the hospital staff and family members will be out in force at Relay For Life to celebrate, remember, and fight back. “We’re excited,” Billert said. “We’ve all done something to participate. The cause is heartfelt by everyone.”

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To support ‘WMAH Worth a Chance,’ visit their team page at www.relayforlife.org/benningtonvt or stop by the hospital to make a donation.

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Relay For Life 2010

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Relay For Life 2010

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Relay For Life 2010

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�� Relay For Life 2010

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“WMAH Worth a Chance”

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1726 Harwood Hill Bennington, VT 802-447-7723 www.wmah.net

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Celebrating and honoring our pets and loved ones. May the bond last forever and always.

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Relay For Life 2010

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Relay For Life 2010