Teams from all over the community are already gearing up for the all-night May 15 event, where they will walk laps to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.
“As long as there is hope, people are willing to fight and get through the disease,” said John Tucker, Director of Diagnostic Services at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital.
“Great strides have been made in cancer since Coach Yow was diagnosed over 20 years ago. The early detection tools that we have now are so much more advanced, and there is a lot of intensive research going into finding the best possible treatment plan for each individual patient.”
For Relay Chairman T.C. Hall, the event is all about solidarity.
“I’m sure that Coach Yow would say that she is one of many. Her struggle was long, but she was not alone. With Relay for Life, we want to raise funds and help the people who struggle like she did, and their loved ones, right here in this community.
Karen Greene, the Relay Chairwoman at Richmond Senior High School, knows first-hand the pain and hope that Relay represents.
“I do it because my husband died of cancer. He was a healthy man, and then 18 months later he was dead. That goes to show that it can happen to anyone, at any time.”
According to Greene, Relay participants who have survived cancer are called by name to walk the night’s opening lap around Raider Stadium; they are joined by their friends and families for the second lap around the track, which will be lighted by luminary memorials.
“There are a bunch of people out there who have been impacted by cancer themselves, or the cancer of a loved one, and that makes them angry,” said Tucker.
“They are not willing to sit back, and they put that energy into something positive with this.”
For more information visit www.relayforlife.org. To inquire about forming, joining or donating to a team in Richmond County, please contact Jessica Clubb at 704-654-8543.
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