‘Cancer doesn’t care

about the economy’
By Tiffany Allison

Special correspondent

Watauga County held its annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life kick off at 6 p.m. on Monday at Watauga Medical Center.

As the group celebrated its accomplishments for 2008, the preparations began for this year’s walk to combat cancer.

The date is set for Friday, June 19 until Saturday, June 20, at Watauga High School.

Glenda Hodges and Sharon Trivette, co-chairpersons of Relay for Life of Watauga County, encouraged the 81 teams to fund-raise unapologetically.

“Cancer doesn’t care about the economy,” Trivette said. “One dollar could hold the test tube that hold holds the cure.”

With cancer claiming the life of late Ronnie Charles McGlamery March 7, it has ignited an even brighter passion for the Tanger Factory Outlet centers raised $21,319 during its Breast Cancer Awareness campaign and donated it to the cause. With each dollar donated, customers received a special card giving them a 25 percent discount at participating outlet stores.

“Any team can be so successful.“ Trivette said.

For the fifth year in a row, Della Presnell raised the most money by a single individual, reaching $13,585. Presnell, the sole member of Ted’s Troops, also raised the most out of every team.

Adding 15 new teams to their list, the crew is ready to raise more money than last year’s total of $251,555.

The chapter ranked sixth out of 16 nationally for its population size and received the Power of Hope Award for the most survivor participation and Outstanding Mission Award for the South Atlantic Division.

Sheila Pate, Relay community manager, passed out awards to community members who had outstanding fundraiser results.

Colby Warren received an award for the most money raised by a child with her total reaching $1,128. Tara Trivette, daughter of Sharon Trivette, raised the most money in the youth category totaling $1,245.

“I love Watauga County, and I love working with this community,” Pate said.

In recognition for her support for Reach to Recovery, Sue Tilson received the Terese Lasser Award for going above and beyond to help recent cancer victims with their battle.

A breast cancer survivor, Tilson took her lunch breaks to meet with recent breast cancer victims to provide encouragement, Pate said.

Tilson and her husband are both cancer survivors and were responsible for starting the first Relay for Life in Watauga County.

Relay for Life has raised $3.5 billon since its beginnings in 1985. Although no cure has been found, members cling to their hope of one day wiping out the life-taking illness.

Dr. Jason Grayson, recipient of a Research Scholar grant from the American Cancer Society, said that, over the last 10 years, federal funding for cancer research, has taken a hit.

But with support from organizations like the American Cancer Society, scientist will continue to their research.

“It is so much more than just a fund-raiser,” Trivette said. “It is a world wide mission to end cancer.”
For more information about Relay for Life, please visit www.relayforlife.org/watauganc.