Sandy Matheson (standing) leads a planning session with community volunteers as they make preparations for events leading up to the April 23 Relay for Life, which will take place at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School. (Catoosa News photo/Adam Cook)
Sandy Matheson, who is the community manager for the American Cancer Society, said there would be many events and meetings in the coming weeks to lay the groundwork for the event.
“There’s so much to do, and a lot of things to consider when preparing for a Relay,” Matheson said. “It takes eve-rybody doing what they can for it to work, and we have a lot of great people that make it all possible.”
Matheson also spoke about the importance of events
“It’s all about outreach to the community,” she said. “Not only is it important for people to know about our program, but we want to be able to reach the schools as well.”
The meeting consisted of a discussion of the goals for the coming event, as well as the planning of the events that will lead up the Relay.
Connie Holcomb, who along with her daughter Amy Cole is a cancer survivor, said that becoming a part of Relay for Life was a no-brainer for her.
“Relay has done a lot for myself and my family,” Holcomb said. “After all that we went through, our family was looking for a way to give back, and this is a great way to do it.”
With the Battlefield Relay about three months away, there will be numerous events taking place preceding the event:
· On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Relay for Life will hold its kick-off at the Walker County Civic Center.
· On Monday, Feb. 15, Relay for Life will begin a support group program called “2 Months to Maximum Health” that will be hosted and lead by Dr. Matthew Member. The group will meet every Monday for eight consecutive weeks.
· Relay for Life will hold its flag football game on Saturday, Feb. 27, at LaFayette High School at noon. There will be a $5 admission fee for anyone who is not a cancer survivor. Awards will be presented at the Relay on April 23.
· Relay for Life will host a community yard sale at the Northwest Georgia Bank’s main office in Ringgold on March 6-7.
For more information regarding Battlefield Relay for Life, contact Sandy Matheson via email at sandy.Matheson@cancer.org, or by phone at 706-278-1960.
Dorothy Lee Grisham