Coffee County Relay for Life to celebrate 20th year

Raising awareness of cancer and supporting those who are currently struggling with the disease is reason to celebrate life and Coffee County has been doing it for 19 years.

The teams and volunteers of the county’s Relay for Life are continuing to fight for a cure for cancer and the research and new options for those with cancer are in part due to the financial support of the Coffee County Relay for Life.

Relay will celebrate its 20^th anniversary in Coffee County in 2012 and it’s going to be a “celebration of life to continue to make a difference in the battle to fight cancer,” Charlene Goolsby, co-chair said.

The Coffee County Relay for Life is planned for Friday, April 27 at the Enterprise State Community College track.

Thursday evening, co-chairs Goolsby, Linda Andress, Stephanie McIntosh and Shelia Reeves gathered with team captains and volunteers at the annual Relay for Life kick off dinner at St. Luke Methodist Church.

“For the last 19 years, we have grossed $3,283,080 and been one of the top fundraisers for cancer research for the American Cancer Society,” Goolsby said. “This year, our goal is to raise $5 per person from all Coffee County residents.”

Andress said in checking with the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce census report, “Coffee County has a population of 49,948 people, so our goal for our 20^th anniversary celebration if $249,740. We know we can do this if we have the much-needed support of everyone,” she added.

Kay Franklin, the American Cancer Society representative for Coffee, Dale and Geneva counties, came to Thursday night’s kick off.

“This is my first year with the counties in Relay for Life because I’m new to the job,” she explained. “But I see such a tremendous effort Coffee County has been doing for all these years and it’s amazing how much support from the community they’ve had. I believe that this 20^th year celebration is going to be special and I’m excited about it.”

Andress, who has been involved with Relay for Life for 19 years, said all of the co-chairs were looking forward to the 20th anniversary celebration.

“We’re asking everyone in the county to help and join us in our celebration for life,” she said. Goolsby, who was a chair at the start of the county’s Relay for Life in 1993, said this year should be the best year of celebration and remembrance.

“We started out with 13 teams in 1993 and it grew from there to one year, we had 86 teams participating,” she said. “We want that many teams again and for people to realize that the funds they raise have made a difference in the lives of people and we are continuing to fight for a cure.”

Co-chair Stephanie McIntosh has been with Relay for 18 years with Shelia Reeves listing her 16^th year in Relay.

“We are excited about this year and we want to even surpass our goal,” McIntosh said. “I know we can continue this fight for cancer research because we see survivors who have benefitted from it. We know if people get behind it this year, it will become what it once was –one of the most successful fundraisers in the county.”

To become a team captain or volunteer, contact any of the co-chairs or contact Charlene Goolsby at 347-2866.