August 17, 2005 – Each year the St. Croix chapter of the American Cancer Society sponsors the Relay for Life to remember those who have lost their life to cancer and celebrate those who survived the life-threatening disease. Teams from various St. Croix businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, individuals and other groups walk, run or jog to raise funds for cancer research, education and patient services.
This year's 24-hour event, staged at the St. Croix Educational Complex, begins on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. and ends 24 hours later on Sunday.
"We are walking for our own," said postmaster Louis A. Jackson, the public relations officer for this year's event. He said the post office team is walking in memory of Florence Thomas, a former postal employee who died from cancer, and in support of several postal employees who are cancer survivors. Jackson said postal employees are sending out a challenge to other businesses, such as Innovative and the National Guard, to mobilize teams and raise money and awareness for cancer.
"It's all in fun and to raise money," Jackson said. Prizes are given out annually to the team who raises the most money and to the team with the best tent at the overnight event. Jackson said this year's goal is $100,000. "So far, more than 30 teams have registered," Jackson said.
The cost to register a team is $150. Each team member should raise at least $100 each. "Go to the business you support and ask for their support," Jackson said, suggesting that team members solicit funds from their neighborhood grocer, gas station and other businesses. Jackson said no one would be turned away if they haven’t raised the suggested amount of donations, "but everyone should be involved in fundraising," he said.
For more information and to register teams, interested persons can contact Dorothy Straun, vice president of the American Cancer Association, at 778-2882, Judy Phillips at 719-9262 or Jackie Heyliger at 772-9441.
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