The American Cancer Society Needs You!
Relay For Life of Manchester is a great opportunity to fight cancers of all types. The American Cancer Society needs more volunteers in the Manchester area to help continue its efforts year-around.
Relay For Life has been part of the Manchester community since 2011 and has seen five very successful events take place at the Manchester Athletic Complex, which raised more than $100,000 to support cancer research and a wide variety of programs for those who have been affected by cancer.
While the traditional “track and field” Relay For Life event did not happen this year in Manchester, the American Cancer Society (ACS) wants Manchester to know that the ACS is still a presence in the community, and is seeking new ways to enhance that presence.
“As a public health organization, ACS is here,” says Alisha Mireles, Manchester’s community support manager. “From resources such as our National Cancer Information Center, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to connecting people to clinical trials, we are here when you need us. We will always be part of the Manchester community.”
Mireles explained that as ACS and Relay For Life evolve, the “look” of Relay and ACS presence may not include a track and field-type event in the future, but instead perhaps a series of smaller scale events, to help raise funds for research and programs sponsored by the ACS. Also under consideration is larger Western Washtenaw County engagement that would encompass several local communities, such as Chelsea, Dexter, and Manchester.
“For that, we need Manchester’s help!” Mireles adds. “We will be hosting a community forum in Western Washtenaw County on what the presence of the ACS looks like in these communities.
“We would like any interested community members to attend–whether or not you have been involved previously with the ACS,” she added. “Your involvement might have been through Relay For Life or Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. You may have provided or received a ride to cancer treatments. You could have stayed in our Hope Lodge as a patient or with a family member. Or maybe you have not yet participated in something with us. Either way, your opinion makes a difference!”
Mireles is particularly interested in seeing what visions current and prospective volunteers may have for the ongoing look of the ACS presence in our area.
“We are here, we have always been here, and we are not going anywhere,” she said. “But we need YOUR help in knowing what our involvement will look like in the future. We would love to have you join us in the discussion on our presence within your community.”
To demonstrate that presence, Mireles is planning to be in the non-profit organization section of the Manchester Street Festival this weekend talking to community members–and anyone else–about Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society in Manchester. Look for her in the purpled-out booth to learn more!
Date, time, and location for the community forum is still to be determined but will likely take place in late August. As planning continues, Mireles will announce the information to Chelsea, Dexter, and Manchester residents via the Mirror and other local news sources. Watch for updates!
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