The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Warren County is officially a part of the $1 million club. In 17 years, it has cumulatively raised more than $1 million for the American Cancer Society. …
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Relay for Life reaches $1 million club
Posted
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Warren County is officially a part of the $1 million club.In 17 years, it has cumulatively raised more than $1 million for the American Cancer Society.Carie Biggs, a past event chair and current committee member, said she is excited that the Relay for Life of Warren County is being recognized for all the hard work that the community, volunteers, team captains and team members did to reach this $1 million mark.“I’m proud to be a part of a community that raises money for the American Cancer Society, which helps those who are still going through the fight,” she said. “I hope that our community will continue to support the Relay for Life of Warren County for another 17 years and raise another $1 million for the American Cancer Society.”Shelly Gregory, a breast cancer survivor and a team captain for the past 13 years, has played a big part in helping the Relay for Life of Warren County raise $1 million. Individually, she has raised nearly $55,000, and her Relay for Life team has raised just over $150,000 collectively over the years.“My mother passed away from breast cancer when she was only 49,” she said. “When I was 39, I received the horrible news, too. I had breast cancer. In June of 2001 I took my first survivor’s walk around the track, and at the end of that lap my best friend, Joanie Kemry, was there to give me a hug and through our tears we decided that we would have a Relay team the following year.”Joanie Kemry, Gregory’s co-captain of the team, also lost her mother to cancer. In 2003, Gregory’s husband, Craig Gregory, was also diagnosed with cancer. Another team member lost a sister to cancer, another was diagnosed two years ago and now walks as a survivor, and still another was just diagnosed and is currently going through treatment.“Our friends and families are being hit hard by cancer, but I know we are making a difference,” Gregory said. “A portion of our funds raised are going to research and early detection, which saves lives. God has blessed us and I feel He chose me to be an advocate for the American Cancer Society. Maybe through my journey I have touched others in their fight with cancer and given them hope.”Gregory’s team motto is, “We have hope because we have faith and love.”The Relay for Life of Warren County will hold a kickoff for the annual event at 6 p.m. Monday, March 9, at First State Community Bank in Warrenton. The society is inviting people who are interested in learning more and getting involved in the event to attend.The kickoff program will honor cancer survivors and caregivers and feature the society’s mission to save lives from cancer. Attendees will have the opportunity to register a team for the Relay for Life event, which will be held from 1-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Black Hawk Middle School.Relay for Life is a community event where teams and individuals camp out at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team has at least one participant on the track at all times and participates in fundraising that supports the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives and finish the fight against cancer. Four million people participated in more than 6,000 events worldwide in 2014. Last year, 235 people participated in the Relay for Life of Warren County and raised $63,116.Visit relayforlife.org/warrencomo to learn more about the program. Additionally, you may contact Kanna Rook, American Cancer Society staff partner, at 636-866-4884 or kanna.rook@cancer.org for more information.
The Relay for Life of Warren County is now a part of the $1 million club. It reached the mark over the past 17 years in hosting the annual fundraiser. Accepting a framed certificate recognizing the accomplishment are Chris Groeber, left, and Carie Biggs, center. Submitted photo.
