To the editor:

As the community manager of this year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life, I would like to thank the residents of Suffolk for their generosity and support. Sixty-nine teams participated in this year’s event and raised more than $202,250 to help the Society’s fight for every birthday, threatened by every cancer, here and throughout the world.

This outstanding show of support proves that the people of Suffolk stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the American Cancer Society to achieve its mission of saving lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back.

We were honored to be joined by a record number of participants and 189 survivors who walked the opening Survivors Lap, officially kicking off this year’s event. These survivors are the reason we continue the fight. Their participation inspires hope in those currently battling cancer.

A special thanks to the many Relay For Life volunteers who worked to make this event a success — celebrating the lives of those who have battled cancer, remembering loved ones lost, and pledging to fight back against the disease.

The Relay For Life committee did an outstanding job of putting the event together. Committee members were Ginny Lee Melton, event chair; Mason Copeland, event co-chair; Catherine Williams and The Relentless Cavs of Lakeland High School, children’s activities; Charlie King, entertainment; Edie Fidler, fundraising; Tayloe Brooks, luminaria; Teri Howell, mission/advocacy; Robin Magrisi, public relations; Janet Bartley, registration; Rachael Moore, sponsorship; Sandy Peterson, survivorship; and Mary Haddad, team retention.

We also appreciate the generosity of this year’s corporate sponsors, and Relay For Life would not be possible without them. Our two Hope Sponsors were the City of Suffolk and the Suffolk News-Herald. Diamond Sponsors were the Nansemond River Pilot Club, Starr Motors and Duke Automotive. Our Platinum Sponsor was Unilever/Lipton Tea and our Gold Level Sponsors were Chick-fil-A and R.W. Baker Funeral Home.

Additional corporate sponsors included Bank of America, Bennett’s Creek Pharmacy, Bethlehem Christian Church, Blair Brothers, Carts Unlimited, Charles Collier, Chuckatuck Ruritan Club, Conley Storage, D.B. Bowles Jewelers, DJ Mike Barfield, Dr. David A. Lotz, Optometrist, Driver Contractors, Farmers Bank, Fred Lee’s Elite Seats, Grafik Trenz, Heavenly Doves, Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront, Island Boy, James River Jazz Band, Kohl’s, Lakeview Medical Center, Obici Healthcare Foundation, Perrell Management, Pierce Supply, Reform School Dropouts, Remedies Salon and Spa, Ricky and Roy’s, Sara Lee, Sasser Construction, Sentara Obici Medical Staff, Sleepy Hole Golf Course, Smithfield Gardens, Inc., TFC and Tri County Medical Society.

You may get involved with Relay For Life at any time as we continue our ongoing fight to eradicate all forms of cancer. Check out RelayForLife.org or call 1-800-227-2345 for more information.

Anne Barclay

Community Manager

ACS Relay for Life