Relay for Life Looks to the Future, Finds Ways to Beat Deadly Disease
For five years, Georgia Childs, the advisor for Healthy Pirates, an organization that facilitates health programs at East Carolina University, has been fighting the battle against cancer for one particular person . . . her mother.
“My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and will be five years cancer free this January. She’s my inspiration in so many ways,” said Childs.
However, Childs would not have been able to help her mother if it were not for a particular colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Washington.
According to www.cancer.org, Dr. Gordy Klatt’s vision, which transformed into the Relay for Life, became a reality in May 1985 when he spent a day walking the track at the University of Puget Sound for 83 miles. That day, he raised $27,000.
Now 22 years later, on Sept. 20, 2007, 150 people came to the Relay for Life Kickoff at ECU and like Klatt, they set a goal to achieve. This year the goal is $40,000.
To win this battle, a new organization called Colleges Against Cancer came to ECU earlier this year.
“We do cancer related programs and collaborate with other organizations like Healthy Pirates, and Colleges Against Cancer partnered with Student Government with help from the American Cancer Society to bring Relay for Life to ECU. Right now, we have 20 teams registered and $26,000 raised,” said Nicole Betschman, the president of Colleges Against Cancer and event chair for Relay for Life.
Personal experiences inspired Betschman to join the organization.
“I became the event chair because (I) wanted ECU to have its own Relay for Life. Other schools like N.C. State and UNC have relays so I felt that it was important for ECU to have one. I had a friend who died of cancer in April 2006; my dad is in remission for prostate cancer and we lost someone to breast cancer last April. So, cancer awareness is near and dear to my heart,” said Betschman.
Betschman, however, isn’t alone when battling cancer. ECU sophomores John Hull and Jacquitta Boone participate in the relay. Boone has great intentions with her involvement in the relay.
“As a participant, I will try to (raise) as many funds as I can . . . I am doing it mainly for the support of the organization and those who are affected by it. I do plan to create my own team and lead them next year,” said Boone.
In supporting Relay for Life, Hull’s goals are similar.
“My goal is to help raise money for research and better educate people on healthier ways to eat and exercise in order to prevent cancer,” said Hull.
Along with assistance from many participants, Relay for Life receives great support from The American Cancer Society. According to Sarah Swain, the community manager of the organization, ACS is a “nationwide community based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.”
However saving lives requires a great amount of time.
“We have 3,400 offices in the country . . . our office in Greenville covers 38 counties in eastern N.C. We have about 41 full time staff people in our 3 offices in eastern N.C. (in) Greenville, Raleigh, and Wilmington . . . we have 1,475 employees across the country,” said Swain.
With many people working across the country, the ACS has contributed three billion dollars towards cancer research since it began in 1946 and the money never goes to waste.
“All of the money stays within the ACS. 10 cents of every dollar goes to our administrative costs like offices.13 cents of every dollar goes towards fundraising costs like paying for Relay shirts and tents that we need for the relay, and creating and mailing survivor invitations. 77 cents of every dollar goes toward cancer research and patient services . . . more than 77 percent of the money goes to fighting cancer,” said Swain.
However, trying to conquer cancer involves challenges.
“I think the hardest part is finding enough people who are committed to our organization to volunteer for our events and service programs. We have wonderful volunteers who give their time, but we always need more,” said Swain.
These volunteers have to be committed to their part.
“Finding a cure for cancer isn’t the job of the American Cancer Society or the national government. It’s everyone’s responsibility. American citizens have to be responsible for fundraising, taking their family member to their cancer treatment, taking care of their health by eating a healthy diet and exercising,” said Swain.
List of Sources:
Jacquitta Boone: Contacted her on Oct. 2nd at 5:41 p.m. and 3rd at 3:56 p.m. through facebook. She contacted me on Oct. 9th to make sure I had the information I needed.
John Hull: Contacted him on Oct. 2nd at 9:53 p.m. and Oct. 3rd at 12:24 p.m. through facebook.
Nicole Betschman: Contacted her several times. On Oct. 2nd at 6:25 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. and Oct. 4th at 12:19 a.m., 10:51 a.m. and 4:52 p.m. through e-mail at ECURELAY@ecu.edu and neb0710@ecu.edu. Her number is 419-308-2788.
Sarah Swain: Contacted her on Oct. 4th at 9:29 p.m., Oct. 6th at 4:45 p.m. and Oct. 9th at 1:48 p.m. through e-mail at Sarah.Swain@cancer.org. Referred to me by Nicole Betschman.
Georgia Childs: Contacted her on Oct. 12th at 1:35 p.m. through e-mail. Referred to me by Sarah Swain.
For the History of Relay for Life: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PAR/Content/PAR_1_4_History_of_Relay_For_Life.asp
Filed under: Hard News