NEWS RELEASE June 24, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: John Guccion, Media Chairperson (614) 477-9744 Relay For Life Of Westerville To Eclipse $1 Million Raised for Cancer Prevention Advocacy th
Honorary Chairman Jim McCann To Deliver ‘Fight Back’ Message During 12 Anniversary Event
(WESTERVILLE, OHIO) The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Westerville is projected to surpass the $1 million total dollars raised milestone for its history when the cancer prevention advocacy event celebrates its 12th anniversary June 25-26, 2010, at Westerville Central High School. The Relay For Life of Westerville, part of the world’s largest movement to end cancer, honors survivors, caregivers and families in their everyday fight against the disease. Committed to ending cancer forever, local residents and corporations organize teams to raise money for loved ones, and then honor those lives with an 18-hour relay around the event track - symbolizing the ongoing pursuit to cure a disease that never rests. The Relay For Life of Westerville embarked on its 2010 fundraising mission with $950,975 raised during its history. Over the last several months, Westerville-area residents, advocacy groups, and area corporations have partnered in creatively raising money for this year’s celebration, which should ultimately result in reaching $1 million raised for the event’s history. This year’s honorary chairman is former Westerville North High School principal Jim McCann, who spearheaded eight previous Relay For Life of Westerville events at that site. McCann, also a long-time member of the Westerville Kiwanis Club, will speak during opening and closing ceremonies. His message: Fight back every day until cancer is beaten. “I have so much respect for people who have faced cancer head on. We all have to be part of the solution,” McCann explained. “We cannot sit back and assume it’s going to be the other guy (who will be victimized by cancer). Every dollar we contribute means someone will have another birthday.” A group of volunteers from the Church of the Messiah in Westerville started the Relay For Life of Westerville in 1999. Over the last decade, more participants have become involved in the fight, organizing creative ways to raise dollars before, during and after the event. To date, 37 teams totaling over 358 participants have raised more than $45,000 for the 2010 Relay For Life of Westerville. The money will be used to bolster American Cancer Society programs and resources, such as its 24-hour telephone support line, one-on-one guidance at area hospitals, as well as free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers.