Local News - April 2003

East Lincoln plans victory celebration

Published April 02, 2003

By Doug Mayes, Guest Columnist

A huge victory celebration is being planned for East Lincoln High School Friday night and Saturday. Granted, a victory celebration is not all that unusual for ELHS ... but this one is different, it’s not for an athletic contest, although a relay is involved.

Some 200 cancer survivors, surrounded by hundreds, possibly thousands, of family members, friends and supporters will be celebrating a victory of Life over Death.

It’s the fourth annual “Relay For Life” for the East Lincoln community — people coming together in a sense of community and purpose, raising money for cancer research.

And money for research is the greatest need the American Cancer Society has.

The medical profession and others believe research is the answer to a cure for this dread disease.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S, exceeded only by heart disease ... one of every four deaths is from cancer. This year, 1.3-million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer; 550,000 will die, including 16,500 in North Carolina.

Studies show that Americans believe cancer is the single most important health problem they personally, could face in the future.

But even with grim, frightening statistics like these, there is hope. With early detection and the advances that have been made in treatment, more people will win the battle with cancer and live to celebrate the victory of life.

It’s that kind of positive attitude that led a group of east Lincoln citizens to start to work four years ago to help in the fight, and the idea for a local Relay came alive.

Under the experienced leadership of banker Patsy Black, chair, community volunteers came together in a spirit of unity to make remarkable progress. The hard working teams, businesses, churches, and community organizations have seen miracles being performed.

From a beginning in 1999, raising $44,000 to surpassing last year’s goal of $175,000 by some $8,000, the event has received national recognition and praise from community, government and service organization leaders.

So, Friday night and Saturday, there will be lots of hugs, laughs, a few tears and a great feeling of fellowship and accomplishment ... along with music and songs, fun and food at the East Lincoln Relay for Life.

As a survivor myself, I invite you to join us, it’ll be an experience you’ll remember for years to come!

By-the-way, did I mention the goal this year is only $200,000!

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Doug Mayes, known as the “Dean of Broadcasting” throughout the Carolinas, is a retired WSOC-TV (Channel 9) news anchor and long-time Denver resident.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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