Watauga's Relay For Life kicks off for 2012
by Sherrie Norris
The 18th annual Watauga County Relay For Life for 2012 launched
Monday night as dozens of team captains returned for another kickoff celebration and new ones got an
idea of what to expect prior to and during the upcoming June 15 event.
A spirit of unity prevailed among those gathered in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church of Boone on Monday, but a sad realization is, that despite ongoing publicity efforts, there are people in the area who don't know about Relay, or they don't understand its purpose or feel like they need to get involved, said Relay co-chairwoman Kathy Idol.
“We've got to get the word out there and make sure that everyone in Watauga County knows about Relay For Life,” she said. “It's always been about a community that takes up the fight. We're still fighting this dreaded disease called cancer, but we've got to get our entire community involved.”
Idol said it was especially important for cancer survivors and those in the midst of their diagnosis and treatments to take part in the celebration of life.
“We raise funds for research,” she said, “and we help fund cancer-related programs, but we are also there to raise hope for the cure. When we look out there on that track and see all those purple shirts worn by people with cancer, or those who have survived cancer, then we know what it's all about and we know we're doing the right thing. When we see thousands of luminaria lining the track in memory of those who lost their battle, we are reminded that we can't give up now. There is still much work to be done.”
Idol and her co-chairman, Brian Barker, who is also the event treasurer, were joined on Monday by a host of other key leaders, including Adam Bender and Lisa Bottomley, local community managers for the American Cancer Society.
In addition to sharing updates on the nationwide effort to fight cancer, Idol, Barker and Bender recognized several individuals, team members, team captains and businesses for their support and accomplishments during Relay 2011.
With the help of 44 teams and 360 team members, last year's event in Watauga County raised a total of $147,222, which equals a per capita amount of $4.24.
Forty-three corporate sponsors participated, as did 30 in-kind sponsors and 17 mission sign sponsors.
The number of luminaria was 3,002 and ,combined with 62 torches, created an impressive glow at dusk during the event last year.
The following awards were presented for efforts with last year's event:
•Most money raised by a team: Jerry's Intimidators ($11,159 ).
• Most money raised by an individual — Della Presnell (eighth year in a row ($5,105).
• Most money raised by a child — Amber Hamby (Bethel Believers, $1,036).
• Top fundraising school — Cove Creek Raiders.
• Number of teams reaching all-star status — 14.
• Grand club members — 19.
Special awards were:
• 2011 Alma Harmon Heart of Relay Award — Jeannie Caviness, Deerfield Dream Team.
• Spirit of Relay awards — Neville Chaney, WJ Office City; Paul D'Ambrosio, Outback Steakhouse; and Heidi Ellis — Tanger Outlets.
• Outstanding Media Awards — High Country Press and Watauga Democrat/Mountain Times.
The nationwide Relay For Life achieved the following:
• Amount raised across the nation for the fight against cancer —$4.25 billion since 1985.
• 5,060 events nationwide.
• More than 4 million participants.
• More than 12 million survivors in the United States.
• Relay For Life is now in 21 countries around the world.
• Relay For Life is the single largest community fundraising event in the world.
For more information on Watauga County's 2012 Relay, contact Kathy Idol, 8821 US Hwy. 421 South, Deep Gap, NC 28618; call (828) 264-5240 or (828) 963-3611; or email (idolk7@yahoo.com)
A spirit of unity prevailed among those gathered in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church of Boone on Monday, but a sad realization is, that despite ongoing publicity efforts, there are people in the area who don't know about Relay, or they don't understand its purpose or feel like they need to get involved, said Relay co-chairwoman Kathy Idol.
“We've got to get the word out there and make sure that everyone in Watauga County knows about Relay For Life,” she said. “It's always been about a community that takes up the fight. We're still fighting this dreaded disease called cancer, but we've got to get our entire community involved.”
Idol said it was especially important for cancer survivors and those in the midst of their diagnosis and treatments to take part in the celebration of life.
“We raise funds for research,” she said, “and we help fund cancer-related programs, but we are also there to raise hope for the cure. When we look out there on that track and see all those purple shirts worn by people with cancer, or those who have survived cancer, then we know what it's all about and we know we're doing the right thing. When we see thousands of luminaria lining the track in memory of those who lost their battle, we are reminded that we can't give up now. There is still much work to be done.”
Idol and her co-chairman, Brian Barker, who is also the event treasurer, were joined on Monday by a host of other key leaders, including Adam Bender and Lisa Bottomley, local community managers for the American Cancer Society.
In addition to sharing updates on the nationwide effort to fight cancer, Idol, Barker and Bender recognized several individuals, team members, team captains and businesses for their support and accomplishments during Relay 2011.
With the help of 44 teams and 360 team members, last year's event in Watauga County raised a total of $147,222, which equals a per capita amount of $4.24.
Forty-three corporate sponsors participated, as did 30 in-kind sponsors and 17 mission sign sponsors.
The number of luminaria was 3,002 and ,combined with 62 torches, created an impressive glow at dusk during the event last year.
The following awards were presented for efforts with last year's event:
•Most money raised by a team: Jerry's Intimidators ($11,159 ).
• Most money raised by an individual — Della Presnell (eighth year in a row ($5,105).
• Most money raised by a child — Amber Hamby (Bethel Believers, $1,036).
• Top fundraising school — Cove Creek Raiders.
• Number of teams reaching all-star status — 14.
• Grand club members — 19.
Special awards were:
• 2011 Alma Harmon Heart of Relay Award — Jeannie Caviness, Deerfield Dream Team.
• Spirit of Relay awards — Neville Chaney, WJ Office City; Paul D'Ambrosio, Outback Steakhouse; and Heidi Ellis — Tanger Outlets.
• Outstanding Media Awards — High Country Press and Watauga Democrat/Mountain Times.
The nationwide Relay For Life achieved the following:
• Amount raised across the nation for the fight against cancer —$4.25 billion since 1985.
• 5,060 events nationwide.
• More than 4 million participants.
• More than 12 million survivors in the United States.
• Relay For Life is now in 21 countries around the world.
• Relay For Life is the single largest community fundraising event in the world.
For more information on Watauga County's 2012 Relay, contact Kathy Idol, 8821 US Hwy. 421 South, Deep Gap, NC 28618; call (828) 264-5240 or (828) 963-3611; or email (idolk7@yahoo.com)