ACS Relay For Life of Wheeling May 21-22, 2011
“Happy Birthday” takes on a whole new meaning when facing cancer.
For the next couple months saving lives and creating a world with more birthdays will be the focus of local volunteers and area businesses, whose hard work and dedication will come together May 21-22 at Wheeling High School for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Wheeling.
Relay For Life is an overnight event that brings the community together in the fight against cancer to celebrate the lives of those who have cancer, remember those lost to the disease, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. Teams of local businesses, schools, churches, community groups and families raise funds - prior to and at the event – to support cancer research to help find cures and to provide local programs aimed at helping people stay well, get well and fight back.
“Just like each birthday, I look forward to putting a team together each year for Relay and celebrating together,” said Relay volunteer, Nancy Weksler. “This family-friendly event is open to everyone. Whether you take in the entertainment for a couple of hours or stay all night, we hope that you will make plans to support your Relay For Life of Wheeling and our efforts to eliminate this awful disease forever.”
Relay For Life starts with local cancer survivors uniting to walk the first lap of the event. They are then joined by family, friends and co-workers; the caregivers who helped them through their battle with cancer.
The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at Dusk, to honor and remember loved ones. Honorees include survivors, caregivers and those who have lost their battle against the disease. Hundreds of luminaria will line the track and continue to burn throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their loves ones' contributions.
Luminaria are available by calling Stefanie DeFrancesca at 847-368-1166 or Stefanie.defrancesca@cancer.org, or by visiting www.relayforlifewheeling.com. They will also be available at the event.
American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Wheeling organizers hope to raise $85,000 at this year's event.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, more than 65,270 Illinois residents will be diagnosed with cancer this year and more than 25,540 will die from the disease. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death in Illinois, followed by colon and rectal cancer.
Relay For Life helps make possible the Society's Patient Navigation Services program. These free support programs and services for local cancer patients and their families include Road to Recovery, which provides cancer patients transportation to and from treatments; Wig Banks, offering free wigs, turbans and other head gear; and Support for Recovery, which matches newly diagnosed patients with cancer survivors to help them cope with their diagnosis, treatment and recovery. In addition, help is available from any phone or computer 24/7 at 1-800-227-2345 or IllinoisCancerHelp.org., where cancer patients and their families can meet face-to-face or call and speak with a social worker to discuss questions and concerns regarding issues such as insurance, clinical trials, financial assistance, family counseling and treatment options.
For more information on how to get involved in the Relay For Life of Wheeling, contact the American Cancer Society at 847-368-1166 or visit www.relayforlifewheeling.com.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force with more than 100,000 volunteers in Illinois and millions elsewhere, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer, and countless more who have avoided it, will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more or get help, call us any time at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.