American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Riverbend

Raises $105,878.17 in Fight Against Cancer

WOOD RIVER, IL � Hundreds of area volunteers and residents, including many cancer survivors, put up their feet and cooled off after walking throughout the night June 26-27 to raise more than $105,000 as part of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Riverbend celebration at East Alton-Wood River High School.

A total of 41 teams participated in the overnight event, including many local businesses, schools, churches, community groups and families. Since cancer never sleeps, many of the teams designated at least one team member at a time to walk or run on the track throughout the night.

�After a hot week and a hot day setting up, the Relay went off without a hitch,� said David Watts, the event chairman for the second year. �I know the heat kept many people away, but we still had just as many participants as in the previous years. After 10 p.m. it started to cool off and everyone had an enjoyable evening.�

The goal for this year�s Relay, the 13th annual event in the Riverbend and the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life itself, is $115,000. Donations for the 2009 Relay can be accepted through Aug. 31 so the committee is still hoping to reach that goal.

The top three fund-raising teams were Team Imagine ($14,360), Evangelical United to Cure Cancer ($6,510) and Olin T-500 ($7,595). Evangelical United Church of Christ had two teams in the Relay and actually finished second, but only the first EUCC team total counted in the team �standings.�

The top three individual fund-raisers were Don Scott of Team Imagine ($4,620), Sara Darr of Donna�s Dudes and Divas ($3,919) and Missy Schonasky of the Unknown Hero ($1,895).

The opening survivors and caregivers lap featured close to 170 survivors, who had gathered first at the Wood River Roundhouse for a 4 p.m. meal. The opening ceremony included remarks from Watts and Dr. James Piephoff of the American Cancer Society. Another highlight of the evening was the moving luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m., when bags filled with candles circled the track in memory of those who have succumbed to cancer and in honor of survivors and caregivers.

Entertainment included Fear Factor games, the ice block challenge (teams competed to melt their block of ice the quickest), Steve Davis as Elvis and the 4 a.m. water balloon frolic.

Team honors went to The Family (Rookie Team of the Year); Evangelical United to Cure Cancer (Top Faith-Based Team); College Avenue Presbyterian 2 Youth (Top Youth Team); Team Faith (Best Campsite); Super Heroes (Spirit Award); and Roxana Student Council (Top School).

Watts, a junior high school teacher in Roxana who lost both of his parents to cancer when he was a teenager, will not be the event chairman next year but plans to remain active in Relay For Life.

�I have had a great time chairing the Relay for the past two years but I am enthusiastic to pass the torch to another individual and have a team next year for the first time in three years,� he said.

Watts wants to thank East Alton-Wood River High School, Wood River Park and Recreation, the Wood River Police Department, DJ Mike Jeffreys and Toddle Town Learning Center for help with the children�s entertainment area.

�The team wrap-up meeting is Monday, July 20, at St Clare�s Hospital,� Watts said. �There are 21 teams signed up already for the 2010 Relay (date to be announced) and we are looking for people to volunteer for next year's committee.�

Relay For Life helps fund programs such as the Patient Navigation Services, which offers a place where patients and families can meet with a social worker to discuss questions and concerns about diagnosis.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. The Illinois Division has more than 120,000 volunteers and staff fighting cancer in the state. For the most up-to-date cancer related information and to join the fight against cancer, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Whaley
618-433-7947
drw5445@bjc.org