Members of the Franklin County Relay For Life Committee have signed a proclamation marking April as the “Power of Purple Month,” in a ramp up to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

To help promote this awareness, Russellville Mayor David Grissom and Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore signed the proclamation last week to declare April as the Power of Purple Month for the city of Russellville and Franklin County as a whole.

“Cancer affects so many people in our community either personally or through a family member or friend,” Grissom said.

“I have supported the Relay For Life for many years and as mayor, I am glad to show my support for this great cause through this proclamation.

“We appreciate the work of all the volunteers who make the Relay For Life in our county a success year after year.

“Their hard work and dedication have no doubt helped many people right here close to home and I applaud the work that is done each year.”

Moore said he was more than happy to have the county support the committee’s cancer awareness efforts as well.

“This is such a worthy cause and something the county commission is proud to support,” Moore said.

“We hope everyone in the community will show their support as well so that we can all do our part to not only raise awareness, but to help raise the necessary funding to one day find a cure.”

The Power of Purple Month is something the American Cancer Society does to help spread awareness about how cancer affects so many people in all different walks of life.

“Cancer can affect anyone at anytime and that’s why it is so important to raise awareness,” said Belinda Johnson, who is coming up on her ten year anniversary as a cancer survivor and also serves as the Relay For Life event chairperson for Franklin County.

“The purpose of the Power of Purple Month is, of course, for awareness, but it is also to let those cancer survivors in our community know that we care about them and that we are fighting to find a cure so that no one else has to face this disease.

“We want them to be able to drive through town and see purple ribbons on businesses and homes and know they haven’t been forgotten.”

According to the ACS, the American Cancer Society served 489 local individuals with 1,797 patient programs and services in 2012, which means people right in the area have been helped because of the funding that has been raised through events like the Relay For Life.

Johnson added it was also a good way to honor the memory of a loved one lost to cancer or to honor a survivor who won their battle or someone who is still fighting.

“We’ve had a lot of support for this fundraiser in the past and we just encourage everyone all over the county to paint your communities purple in support of the fight against cancer,” Johnson said.