By Sheila Albrecht
This year’s Relay For Life of Bedford event to be held on June 1 and June 2, is filled with excitment and enthusiasm, as the American Cancer Society celebrates its 100th birthday.
The event is using this 100th birthday theme to organize its grandest Relay event in years. Now in its eighth year in Bedford, this year’s Relay For Life is also hosting enrollment for the historic American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention study (CPS-3, a national, long-term study that will evaluate and follow the relationship of lifestyle, behavioral and environmental factors to a person’s health. If you wish to participate in the study, refer to the information at the end of the article.
Co-Chairs, Karen Frank and Bonnie Klein, were asked why they came back, year after year, to put on such an ambitious fundraising event. They responded that Relay For Life is one of the community’s most important annual events, adding that they felt that the best part of holding this type of grand scale fundraising program is that it brings the community together. Karen Frank adds, “Not only do local businesses give tremendous generous support, but the local police, firemen, parents, and the Superintendent of Schools and the school administration make huge accommodations for us.” It is heartwarming to see the high school track filled with students and community members, walking lap after lap for 15 hours, raising money for cancer research. Karen Frank, a 17 year cancer survivor, expresses the feeling well, “most of us have been touched by cancer, as an individual or through a loved one, and through this it is easy to find motivation for this event”. Relay For Life also honors Survivors and Caregivers, inviting them to walk the first lap in the opening ceremonies at 3 pm on June 1.
Julie Rauseo, American Cancer Society Staff Partner and coordinator of this year’s Relay For Life of Bedford, encourages students and staff from all schools to participate. She also extends a special invitation to community members and businesses to form a team and join the celebration. Please visit www.relayforlife.org/BedfordMA to sign up for a team, or simply come to the next team meeting at the Bedford High School cafeteria on Thursday, April 4 at 7pm. All materials for registration and for learning about being a team captain and organizing a team will be available. Julie is also available by email [email protected] to answer any questions.
*To participate in the Cancer Prevention Study-3 you must: be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, be between 30 and 65 years old, and never have been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer). For more study information visit: www.cancer.org/cps3 or email [email protected].
Enrollment location: Relay For Life, Bedford High School
Enrollment date: June 1st, 2013.
Enrollment times: 4:00 – 8:00p
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