Survivors aren’t alone in walking the final lap of the 2005 Relay for Life in Vance County.
Elvis Presley’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” blared over the loudspeakers Saturday at Southern Vance High School’s track as participants took the final lap of Relay for Life 2005, an event that exceeded expectations by raising $210,059.36 and counting for cancer research, event co-chairwoman Jane Haithcock reported.
Pat Curl, a community manager with the American Cancer Society, revealed that Vance County’s unofficial goal was $200,000, based on the county’s economic situation.
American Cancer Society community manager Pat Curl praises Vance’s 11th annual Relay results.
“Vance County has had a lot of economic things going on with an unemployment rate which is still the highest in North Carolina, but, Vance County, hold your heads up high,” Curl proclaimed. “I couldn’t be prouder than to stand here and look out at all of you.”
(Vance’s unemployment rate has not been the state’s highest since last year, but it remains among the 10 worst employment counties and ranked fourth in April, the most recent statistics available.)
Nine-year logistics chairman Donald Ray Matthews agreed with Curl.
Relay logistics chairman Donald Ray Matthews says Relay brings the community together.
“Right now the county is leading in some areas that we don’t really want to brag about: unemployment rate, teen pregnancy, crime. But when it comes Relay for Life, it brings this community together,” Matthews said. “And it’s because of the people of this community that make this event possible. You know how to Relay.”
The most powerful part of the closing ceremonies was event co-chairwoman Kathy Pierce’s address. She paused several times to collect herself as the emotions overcame her.
“The coming together and the love that is demonstrated on this track is truly a fight to end this disease called cancer,” Pierce said.
She concluded: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is a success.”
Vance County exceeded realistic expectations by presenting a check for $210,059.36 to the American Cancer Society on Saturday afternoon.
Vance County has been successful again this year in helping the ongoing fight against cancer.
Written by Brad Breece