Opinion

Volunteers are coming together

Wednesday, August 7, 2002

It happens around the country and around the world -- a large group of volunteers comes together in support of a common cause -- and this weekend its happening right here in McCook.

The annual American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraising event has brought together 28 teams of participants, and several volunteers who have a common goal -- to do their part in donating to cancer research.

"I hear many stories -- 'My sister...My Father... My friend had cancer,' there are so many volunteers that have been touched in some way by cancer and are dedicated to eradicating the disease," said event organizer Barb Bortner. And that is exactly what the event is all about -- raising donations for a non profit organization that is dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.

At this year's Relay for Life, organizers expect to reach their goal of selling 1,500 luminarias.

The luminaria is the main fundraising activity for the event. Each team is asked to raise funds through the sell of the candle lit luminarias.

Nora Lewis, a member of the Relay for Life Committee has been collecting and making candles for the luminarias throughout the year. She collects wax from used candles, melts it down, and pours it in to baby food jars. So far she has make 1,000 candles and the Relay for Life Committee has purchased the rest.

Those candles will then be placed in sacks and set beside the walking track at Norris park where they will light the way for the Relay walkers to be lit at dusk on Friday night. As they walk, participants can look at the names printed on each of the luminarias and reflect on each life that has been touched by this horrible disease.

"As I see the decorated luminaria sacks coming in, I am really overwhelmed by the creativity of the sacks. You know that the people who decorated them have put a lot of thought and attention into making them personal and unique to the person they represent," said Dixie Bethell, luminaria chairman.

Through the last 10 years, The American Cancer Society has funded 32 research scientists whose work on cancer research has earned them Nobel Prize recognition.

In addition, as the largest not-for-profit voluntary health organization in the United States, the society has granted more than $100 million to cancer research in a single year.

It has provided funding for breakthroughs in cancer treatment such as tamoxifen, bone marrow transplants and molecular therapies that translate into millions of saved lives each year.

And since 1996, American Cancer Society has reported sustained declines in overall cancer incidence and mortality rates.

That's the good news. The bad news is that nearly 1.3 million fathers and mothers, wives and husbands, sisters and brothers, and sons and daughters were diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and more than 553,000 succumbed to the disease. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. In Nebraska there were 7, 500 new cases reported.

The Relay for Life Committee is still looking for volunteers to set up luminaria sacks in the park, blow up survivor balloons and serve the continental breakfast Saturday morning.

In addition, the committee is asking for donations of gifts for team/walkers door prizes and for snacks to feed the teams throughout the night.

For more information, call Barb Bortner at (308) 345-8550.

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