Wooster Relay makes top five Relay wrap-up—area teams experience phenomenal success
“No one loses in Relay for Life,” said Al Stabilito, area American Cancer Society public relations director. “Regardless of what amounts the different teams raise, every team is a winner and every single dime is essential for our cause.”Stabilito is proud of the entire state of Ohio and said the Northeast region, which includes Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, did particularly well this year, with the Wooster Relay raising the fifth largest income statewide.
The fiscal year for the American Cancer Society (ACS) ended August 31, with final Relay income totals at $4,421,739 for all 50 Relays.
“The Wooster Relay in Wayne County raised $211,697 and was the fifth largest in Ohio,” Stabilito said. “The Northeast Ohio region was again the top region out of the five regions in the state for total income raised. Northeast Ohio did very well as usual, but like I said before, we are ecstatic and grateful for every single Relay held throughout the state, whether it raises $10 or half a million.”
Wayne County actually held four Relays, including Wooster, the College of Wooster, Rittman and Orrville. Wayne County resident Pam Manges served as this year’s volunteer chair for the Wooster Relay and admits the economy was a fundraising concern for 2009.
“We realized that 2009 would be a difficult year to raise funds, but also knew that cancer doesn’t care,” she said. “We re-dedicated ourselves to stay well, get well, find cures and fight back. Wooster’s Relay For Life has a wonderful group of volunteers who have a passion: to find a cure for cancer.”
Manges said that the outstanding teamwork on divisional, regional, committee, event, and team levels was one big key to their success, while the ACS mission delivery in providing volunteers with information about American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy, and programs and services was another.
“We also can’t forget what fun it is to hold team fundraisers, meetings and the event itself,” she added. “This year, in addition to providing moving ceremonies, entertainment, activities and contests, food, and fun throughout our 18 hour event, we also hosted an enrollment site for ACS’s third cancer prevention study. We also reached more cancer survivors who walked in the opening lap, enjoyed a reception and participated in activities during the event.”
Wooster was the first Relay to ever be held in Wayne County and will host its 14th Relay For Life event next year on June 4 and 5. According to Manges, Wooster’s Relay has raised more than $2.5 million for cancer research, education, programs and services. She is grateful that in addition to Wooster, Relays have been organized in Rittman (Doylestown-Rittman), Orrville and the College of Wooster as well.
“The fact that additional Wayne County Relay events can be successful and grow is a testament to the dedication of Wayne County’s participants, volunteers, sponsors, donors and survivors,” Manges said. “Yet there are people in our communities who don’t know what Relay for Life is all about, or that it’s the main source of fundraising for the American Cancer Society. There are also cancer survivors who don’t know that we are here to honor and support them. So, we realize there is still a lot of work to do. We are very grateful for the dollars, products and services, time and energy donated to our events, especially in these tough economic times. Our supporters have difficult decisions to make on where their dollars are spent. No donation is too small and we will continue to raise funds one dollar at a time.”
Relay For Life was started nationally in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash. The very first Relay to take place in Ohio was held in 1993 in Warren. The ACS invests about 75 cents of every dollar in its mission to eliminate cancer. A large portion of the funds help cancer patients with a number of services.
Relay For Life was a huge success this year and total incomes for other Northeast region counties include Medina Seville, $39,125; Medina Brunswick, $97,714; Medina Wadsworth, $20,938; Medina, $153,693; Wayne, College of Wooster, $22,371; Wayne Wooster, $211,697; Wayne Rittman, $106,808; and Wayne Orrville, $75,870.