Jess Richards, community development manager with the American Cancer Society, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss Vance County’s upcoming Relay for Life event in downtown Henderson.
Richards invited the entire community to join the annual event on Saturday, June 22, 2019, from 4:30 until 9 p.m. on Breckenridge Street.
Relay for Life is a culmination of months of hard work by local volunteers and the efforts of numerous community fundraisers including golf tournaments, fun days and food plate sales.
In addition to food vendors, merchants, music, and a kid’s play area, participants are sure to appreciate the emotion of one of the main draws of Relay – the survivor’s lap.
“Cancer survivors walk one lap to kick off Relay for Life, with their caregivers joining them for the second lap,” said Richards. “It’s a very emotional, uplifting and wonderful thing to see and cheer on.”
Local sponsors for the event include Maria Parham Health, Aldi, Sunrock, Superior Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT, Ninja Realty and Fred’s Towing & Transport.
Many other organizations have provided “in-kind” donations of their services such as golf carts for event volunteers and security courtesy of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson Police Department.
Richards said the Relay for Life event would not be possible without the generous assistance of sponsors, in-kind donors and fundraisers.
According to Richards, of the money raised for the American Cancer Society, 79% goes to research while the remaining 21% goes to staffing. “We hope by the end of the year to get that figure to 80/20,” said Richards. “Please know that the American Cancer Society is really working hard to find a cure.”
To register for Vance County’s Relay for Life, or for additional information, please visit the website (click here) or call 1-800-227-2345.
The next – and last – planning meeting for the 2019 event will be held on Thursday, June 13 in the auditorium of Maria Parham Health in Henderson. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. for teams and 7 p.m. for all others.
To hear the Town Talk interview with Jess Richards in its entirety, click here.