SIDNEY — The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Shelby County kicks off its new fundraising season on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Sidney Moose Lodge, 1200 Broadway Ave., Sidney, Ohio. The community is invited to come out and learn more about the Relay For Life event and how they can help the America Cancer Society attack cancer from every angle.
“We are excited to kickoff Shelby County’s 2019 Relay For Life season – our 20th relay since our first relay in 2000!” said Deb Kaufman, co-lead.
“We look forward to having our teams and participants from last year back and to having new teams and new participants join us this year,” said Patty Wood, the other co-lead for this relay season.
The kickoff event will follow an open house format where everyone can visit each committee table and receive the information needed to get their team started for this year’s relay. Participants can register their team, gather information from the different committees and share fundraising ideas with other teams.
“Whether you are a veteran team, a new team, or someone just wanting to find out more about Relay, we encourage you to come and hear new ideas plus enjoy the food, games and prizes,” said Kaufman. “There will also be a 50/50 drawing where half of the money will go to the winning ticket holder’s team.”
Teams, participants and the planning committees have been committed and worked hard for 19 years, enabling Shelby County to raise almost $3.4 million for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Last year alone, Shelby County raised more than $165,000.
How does Relay for Life impact Shelby County? Not only do Relay dollars help with research, education and advocacy, but also services available right here in Shelby County. Programs such as Patient Navigator, workplace wellness programs, Look Good Feel Better, Road to Recovery, Hope Lodge and physician engagement programs are just a few. Anyone can also call the Cancer Information Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event to save lives from cancer. At Relay For Life events, participants celebrate people who have been touched by cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action for lifesaving change.
“Together, we can beat our biggest rival,” said Wood. “Shelby County’s Relay For Life event will be held Aug. 2-3 at the Shelby County Fairgrounds with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. Friday and ending with closing ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. There will be something for everyone throughout the entire 18-hour event.”
Visit www.relayforlife.org/shelbycounty or visit the group’s Facebook page at www. Facebook.com/RelayForLifeOfShelbyCountyOH. For more information, contact co-Chairs and Team Ambassadors, Deb Kaufman at 937-726-3647 or Patty Wood at 937-489-8867.
