Ashe Mountain Times

Ashe County is once again preparing for one of the biggest fundraisers held in the county.

Relay for Life is set for Friday, July 13, at Ashe County High School, and organizers held a kick-off event on Monday in West Jefferson to announce the theme and give information to teams and volunteers for the event.

This year's theme is My Reason to Relay. The theme promotes the event as a way for everyone to come together to honor or remember the people they know who have battled cancer, whether it was a parent, spouse, family member, friend or co-worker.

“We had a great event last year,” said Adam Binder, community manager with the Relay in Ashe County. “A smaller amount of money was raised in community relays last year, but we're looking forward to a great Relay season.”

The 2011 event saw 215 participants and Binder said they are hoping to get 250 to 300 for 2012. “We raised $62,000 last year and have a goal of $65,000 this year.”

Chris Hansen of the N.C. Pagans Outdoors came to the kick-off and announced another cancer fighting initiative for the area. His group will host the Drumstrong in the Mountains, Drum Your Ashe Off Against Cancer. The event will be held to raise awareness and funding to support cancer education and survivorship, much like Relay for Life. Hansen is hopeful that teams participating with Relay for Life will also want to get involved with the Drumstrong event, set for Saturday, April 14, at the old Lansing school.

As for Relay for Life, various fundraising activities will be held throughout the year, leading up to the July 13 event. Teams from different churches, organizations and clubs will hold fundraisers and other benefits to raise money for their team to donate to the Relay for Life event.

This year's Relay kick-off featured a presentation that said the focus is not on the numbers but rather on the ways each person can help. Through donations of money, time and support, each person has the opportunity to help raise awareness and help in the fight against cancer.

As planning and captain's meetings are held leading up to the Relay, more information will become available at http://www.relayforlife.org or on the group's Facebook site, Relay for Life of Ashe County, North Carolina.

Relay for Life exceeded its goal last year and organizers are hopeful to do the same again this year. Relay is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

Binder said the Relay is a family event and is open to adults as well as kids.

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Relay for Life

 

For more information about Relay for Life in Ashe County, contact Adam Binder at (828) 406-4429 or email adam.binder@cancer.org.