Relay For Life of Greene County Newsletter First Edition

• Clifton Mill Fundraiser a Success
• Easy Steps to Form a Team
• ACS CAN
• Meet the Committee

Clifton Mill Fundraiser a Success

Thanks to everyone that participated at this year’s fund raiser at Clifton Mill. The Relay for Life of Greene County received a check from Tony Satarino, Jr. owner of Clifton Mill in the amount of $1,000.00.   A Christmas tree is in place for the public to hang “in memory” or “in honor” ornaments for a donation.   The names on those ornaments were read every hour over the loudspeaker by our Event Chair Rachael McKinney.    An informational table was set up in the dining area. Relay For Life was promoted at the table and at the end of each hour with the reading of the names.

The event was originally scheduled for December 6th, but was postponed due to flooding.  On December 28th the rescheduled event went well.  The weather was really nice for the time of the year.  An interview on WDTN-TV with Marsha Bonhart and articles in the newspapers hopefully helped bring a very nice crowd.

Over 180 luminaries were set up throughout the grounds during the event.  Competing with over 3 million lights it’s tough.  The luminaria looked good and added a very nice touch.

We have scheduled December 19, 2012 for the next event at Clifton Mill.  Mr. Satarino will also help publicize that event in their promotions.

Put it on your calendar and be there next year.  This was my first visit to Clifton Mill and found it to be worth the drive.

 - Steve Wendling, PR Chair


Easy Steps to Form a Team
 
Form a team of 8 to 15 people – family members, friends, co-workers.  Ask them to be on your team.
 
Pick a name for your team and choose your captain and co-captain.  This leader will be the liason between the American Cancer Society Relay of Life of Greene County Committee and your team members.  The leaders will attend Team Meetings throughout year get day-of event information.  They will collect all team members’ donation envelopes and turn them in at a team meeting prior to the event.

Once you have a team name and captains, contact Megan Harber @ Relayforlifegreeneco.teams@gmail.com to get your Team Captain Handbook and Team Captain Kit.   You can also register your team online at www:relayforlife.org/greenecounty.

To register your team, have each team member fill out the required registration form and waiver (included in the team leader kit),

Collect everyone’s $ 10.00 commitment fee, and return them to your local American Cancer Society office.  Or simply register online at www.relayforlife.org/greenecounty!  Your small commitment fee guarantees your participation in this exciting event.

As a guideline, each team member is encouraged to collect a minimum of $ 100.00 in donations.  You decide how you will raise the money.  Each participant that raises $ 100.00 in the fight against cancer will receive a 2012 event t-shirt.
 
Prepare to have fun.  Bring a tent to spend the night and come out to the Relay for Life of Greene County.  Tell your family, friends and everyone else to come and cheer your team on.

Relay Time!!  Mingle with the Relay participants and make new friends.  When it is your turn, walk (or run) around the track with a smile, knowing that you are doing your part in the fight against cancer as we march for a cure.

Still have questions or need more information?  Please contact the Relay for Life Greene County Team Development Chair Megan Harber at  relayforlifegreeneco.teams@gmail.com or visit our website www.relayforlife.org/greenecounty.

 - Megan Harber, Team Development Chair

ACS CAN

What is ACS CAN?

ACS CAN stands for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. It is the largest national advocacy network in the nation. ACS CAN is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization affiliated with the American Cancer Society whose goal is to make cancer issues a national priority.

What does ACS CAN do?
ACS CAN empowers the public to keep cancer issues in the forefront of political leaders. It helps to keep lawmakers accountable to the promises and actions they made. It provides a voice for ordinary people to lawmakers concerning issues related to fighting cancer.

What will support of ACS CAN provide?

• Allows for increased lobbying of local, state and federal officials.
• Allows cancer advocates to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes and actions through voter guides and town hall meetings.
• Provides legal protection to the Society. By forming ACS CAN, the Society is able to encourage additional advocacy efforts without jeopardizing its tax-deductible status.
• Provides education on cancer for the public, media, and candidates.

What has ACS CAN accomplished?

• It has helped to provide a smoke-free environment for 70% of Americans.
• It has provided better access for mammograms to American women.
• It has provided many advances in prevention, detection, treatment, and care for many cancer patients.

How can you become a part of ACS CAN?

You can join online at www.acscan.org or through your local Relay for Life.

 - Amy Voris, Advocacy Chair

MEET THE COMMITTEE

RACHAEL MCKINNEY – EVENT CHAIR

My name is Rachael McKinney.  I am the event chair for the Relay for Life of Greene County.  This is my first year doing this role.  I am very excited about it.   I have been doing Relay For Life since 201 0.  I grew up in Cedarville, and have been a lifetime resident of Greene County, with the exception of a few years I was in Florida.  I currently live in Fairborn.   I have been married for 10 years and have 2 children 7 and 9.  Outside of doing Relay for Life of Greene County, I work in a coffee shop, and I enjoy reading, running and writing.  Fighting cancer is a passion of mine.  In 2007, my mom, Linda Ferguson, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.  Mom was my best friend; this was devastating.  After surgery and radiation, she went into remission.  It came back with a vengeance in 2009.  Mom fought long and hard.  She was my hero, and an absolutely amazing woman.  She lost her battle to cancer in March 2011.  Mom is why I “Relay.”  I fight back in memory of Mom.  I want to help other families who have to hear the words “you have cancer” understand what might come next and what great programs that the American Cancer Society has to offer to help through the battle.  I want to celebrate those who have survived, as well as to honor the caregivers.  Having been a caregiver myself, I understand that role and how hard that can be.  I want to fight back against the disease that is affecting so many every day.  I love doing Relay For Life.  Being the event chair is the biggest task I have ever taken part of with Relay For Life, but it is exciting.  Greene County is my home, and I want everyone to know what we have to offer within the county to fight back against cancer.  I am looking forward to growing the event very much.  I Relay for mom especially, but also for everyone else who has heard or will hear that cancer is part of their life.

RITA COBB – SURVIVOR CHAIR

My name is Rita Cobb.  I am the mother to two sons and a daughter.  They have blessed me with 9 ½ grandchildren (other ½ will be here in June).  I have been a licensed cosmetologist for 38 years.  Growing up I was an Air Force brat, so I got to see the world.  I sat down roots in Ohio in 1973 and this has been my home ever since.  I am a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan.  Ten years ago I saw an ad in the paper about Relay for Life.  I called the number and by the time the conversation was ended, I was a team captain.  Wow, one month before relay and I was a team of one!  Thanks to my wonderful friends and family who came to my aid, we raised $ 1,000.00.  Most of us have stayed together and have raised over $ 20,000.00 for Relay.  I even got the nickname for $1.00, as I was always thinking of another way to make a $1.00.  Robyn and I have served on almost all of the committees and have even chaired the event several times.  Personally my family has been hit hard by this disease and I will do everything I can to raise money towards finding a cure, so other families can be spared.  My goal this year is to enlist survivors to come to the event and be recognized.  Working together we can make Relay For Life of Greene County a success.

ROBYN SPENCER – SURVIVOR CO-CHAIR

I am a single mother of two boys.  I have been employed at the United States Postal Service for seventeen years.  My passion for finding a cure for cancer began when I was 23 years old when I lost my mother to ovarian cancer.  I began participating in the Thunder Road Bike a Thon which was a 50 mile ride where you accepted donations.  I participated in that for many years.  Then I met Rita and we became involved in Relay For Life.  I have been involved with Relay for 9 years now and have co-chaired just about every position with her.  I also became a participant in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in downtown Dayton.  I attempted to get the Postal Employees in Dayton involved but was only mildly successful.  Due to the no fundraising rule at the Post Office there was little money raised.
My vision for the future of the Relay For Life of Greene County is to get more people involved.  There is such an opportunity for fundraising with all the businesses in Beavercreek, Xenia, Fairborn and the smaller communities like Jamestown, Cedarville and Yellow Springs.  We must all come together to raise the money needed for research to stop this deadly disease! Working together we can find a cure.

THE RELAY FOR LIFE OF GREENE COUNTY WILL BEGIN ON MAY 19TH AT 5PM AND END ON MAY 20TH AT 11 AM AT FAIRBORN COMMUNITY PARK ON DAYTON YELLOW SPRINGS ROAD NEXT TO FAIRBORN HIGH SCHOOL

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  www.relayforlife.org/GreeneCounty