‘This is why we Relay’ : Support continues to grow for 2017 Relay For Life season

Published 5:28 pm Monday, March 13, 2017

Action has been picking up across Carter County as the annual Relay For Life event is a little over 100 days out.
With June 23 at T.A. Dugger Junior High pegged as the organization’s special ceremony, Kathy Thomason, media relations coordinator with the organization, said she was pleased for the current turnout of support.
“It has been great,” she told the Elizabethton Star Monday. “Right now, we have 17 teams, which is great. That’s an increase from last year.”
Members of the community are encouraged to continue forming teams in preparation for June. The county Relay For Life has a goal of $55,000 this year, which will be donated to the American Cancer Society, and was sitting at $6,339 for this year.
“We have 102 days left until our big event,” Thomason said. “There’s still a little ways to go.”
But work never stops for ‘Relayers’. The work was evident Monday evening with Donna’s Dream Team holding a benefit fundraiser inside Hampton Christian Church’s fellowship hall.
Attendees were treated to different soups, chili and had the opportunity to purchase items to help the cause.
Donna’s Dream Team has been one of the regular mainstays for the Relay For Life of Carter County. Mike Richenberg, team captain, stated the team was the perfect way to honor his late wife, Donna.
“My family and I started a Relay team 12 years ago after I lost my wife to breast cancer,” Richenberg said. “We felt this was the best way to keep her memory alive and to help others that are battling with cancer.”
The squad’s regular goal each year is to raise $5,000 and one year, the Donna’s Dream Team was able to raise approximately $7,500.
Togetherness is the message when it comes to the formation of teams. Richenberg also encouraged the public that hasn’t gotten involved yet to help take part in this year’s campaign.
“If you know anyone that’s had cancer, one of the best things you can do is support Relay For Life to help find a cure for this terrible disease,” he said. “Every year, the excitement’s there. They keep finding new drugs to help people and every year, you keep getting that feeling that we’re one step closer to finding a cure. It keeps us going. And Relay night, it’s beautiful thing, especially with the luminary ceremonies.”
Relay For Life currently has luminaries for June’s event on sale. Individuals can purchase a bag, which can be customized to recognize a loved one that has been impacted by cancer. Bags can be purchased for $5 by contacting a Relay For Life member. Bags can be picked up at any of the Edward Jones offices located in Elizabethton.
Thomason added the county organization has a pair of events on the horizon, including the annual Rock Reunion on April 1 and a special Stateline Drive-Inn movie night tentatively set for April 13 — more information on the events will be made available in the coming weeks.
The public is also encouraged to take part in the organization’s meetings. Relay For Life will hold their next regularly scheduled monthly session on Thursday, April 6, at 5:45 p.m. at Medical Care, located across the road from Sycamore Shoals Hospital, to discuss upcoming endeavors.
For more information on how to get involved with Relay For Life, visit the Relay For Life of Carter County, Tn Facebook page online or contact Thomason either by email at Kathy.Thomason@edwardjones.com or call (423) 543-1181.

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