Marshall County Relay For Life Deemed a Success
By JIM COCHRANArticle Photos
The Marshall County Relay For Life was deemed a success Friday even before the 111 registered cancer survivors made their way around the track at Monarch Stadium in Moundsville.
Co-chairman Randy Hewitt said, "I'm not just speaking of the dollars raised to fund valuable research and enable American Cancer Society programs to exist. I'm not measuring success by the number of luminaria bags sold.
"Success isn't the number of corporate sponsors on the back of our T-shirts. Success is coming together as a community, forming one group of people of many different backgrounds and motivations, working together toward one common goal; to find a cure for cancer. I believe the sense of camaraderie we feel when working towards this goal is the best measure of success."
Hewitt said at the opening ceremony that those in attendance would be asked later in the evening to do what he described as three very special things - "celebrate, remember and fight back."
Celebrate the lives of those who are battling cancer. During the survivor lap, those lining up along the track should cheer for the walkers, encourage them to fight, and be there for them when they need you, he told the crowd.
Remember loved ones lost to cancer, and during the luminary ceremony, think of those who have passed away, grieve beside fellow caregivers and find healing, he added.
Thirdly he asked those taking part in the Relay For Life to make a ''fight back'' commitment. He said this could be done by getting a yearly mammogram or colonoscopy, by educating others about cancer prevention, or by volunteering for the 2009 Relay For Life of Marshall County, or finding a way to take up the fight to put an end to the disease.
The 12-hour event was in it's second hour when Hewitt announced that the $52,000 fundraising goal had been surpassed, and that the figure at that time was $55,795.31 and still growing. Several churches, businesses and organizations with campsites were conducting fundraising events. In announcing the figure, Hewitt called it ''fantastic'' as he praised the caring people and businesses in the county.
He noted there were 24 campsites being utilized. Hewitt said as to the money collected, $1,400 was from luminary bag purchases. This figure surpassed last year by $200.
After the survivors took the initial lap around the track, they were joined by their caregivers for the second lap.
Hewitt thanked Reynolds Memorial Hospital for providing a full meal for the survivors after their walk. He noted in the past the survivors have received cookies and fruit.
Hewitt said, "We need to take care of our survivors."
The event started at 6 p.m. and was scheduled to conclude at 6 a.m. today. During several hours of the relay, entertainment was provided by local musical groups and individuals. There was a pizza party at midnight provided by Moundsville Vocelli Pizza, one of the major sponsors.
