Relay For Life of Manchester Needs YOU!

A sea of purple shirts, each one representing a cancer survivor, began Manchester's fourth annual Relay For Life on June 28, 2014. This year's event is set for June 20.

Nearly everyone has been touched by cancer at one time or another in their lives. A friend, a loved one, a neighbor, or a family member--or maybe even yourself--has heard the words, "You have cancer." The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a time to Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back against this intimidating disease.

Manchester's fifth annual Relay For Life event is set for June 20, 2015 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Organizers are seeking new participants to make this Relay the best yet!

An organizational meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening, Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the Village Room on the lower level of Village Hall (912 City Road). Anyone interested in helping out with this year's Relay For Life is welcome to attend. Even if you've never attended a Relay event and are simply interested in learning more about it, please stop in and get information about how you can participate.

In prior years, the Manchester event has raised more than $125,000 to fight cancer and support those affected by the disease. With a strong team and community support, we look forward to continuing to make a difference in 2015.

The goal of Relay For Life is to raise funds to continue to support those who have received a cancer diagnosis with programs that are working to find a cure, as well as providing rides to treatment appointments, wigs for those who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments, and lodging for those who must travel long distances to receive their treatments. In addition, ACS programs match up cancer survivors with those who have recently been diagnosed, to provide resources and support  to those who need it.

Heather Dixon will be the new ACS Staff Partner guiding this year's Relay For Life events in Manchester, Dexter, South Lyon and Chelsea.

With a new schedule and a new American Cancer Society Staff Partner, Heather Dixon, this event will be a unique experience for everyone involved. All of the traditional aspects you've come to expect will still be part of this year's Relay. There will be a Survivor Brunch to honor survivors who are currently experiencing cancer along with those who have fought cancer in the past. The luminaria ceremony, one of the most touching of the Relay traditions, will happen at 10 p.m. with candlelit bags and a quiet tribute to honor all those who have fought cancer--those who have won and those who have lost their battles.

If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to get involved, please sign up at the Facebook Group www.facebook.com/RFLofManchester. Online registration is also available now at www.relayforlife.org. Enter "48158" in the search box, and the event link will appear immediately below the zip code box.

Come and help FINISH THE FIGHT against cancer in our lifetime!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.