By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
March 3, 2004
Plans, sponsors and team meeting dates for this year's Relay for Life event are expected to be announced today at a press conference at Union Station.
This is the 10th year the Relay for Life fund-raising campaign for the American Cancer Society has been held in Lauderdale County a tradition with a goal that has grown from $30,000 in its first year, to $400,000 this year.
More than $2.5 million has been raised through the fund-raising efforts of Relay for Life teams in Lauderdale County. The American Cancer Society uses the money to fund cancer research and education and to provide services for cancer patients.
The local Relay for Life has won several state, regional and national awards for its fund-raising.
Calling for a Relay reunion for the event's 10th year, Becky Vance, 2004 Relay chairman, is inviting all past teams and participants to get involved.
The Relay for Life campaign will be capped off with an all-night celebration at Meridian High School's Ray Stadium on June 11, beginning with opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. A luminary ceremony, honoring both past and current cancer patients, begins at 10 p.m.
Corporate sponsors for this year's event are: A&B Electric Co., Glass Inc., Mississippi Power Company, Structural Steel Services, SuperStop, The Mitchell Companies, Meridian Oncology Associates and Meridian Regional Airport.
Media sponsors are The Meridian Star, WTOK-TV, WMDN/WGBC, Comcast, Clear Channel Broadcasting, WOKK, WALT, WJXM, WKZB, WMMZ, WMLV, WMOX, WZKR, and Leading Edges Advertising.
The survivor sponsor is Jeff Anderson Regional Cancer Center. The luminary sponsor is Charlene and Scott Anderson and family.
Betty Lou Jones, a longtime Relay for Life volunteer, said the Relay sponsors are leaders of the community-wide effort.
The first meeting for Relay team captains is Thursday, at 5:30 p.m., in the private dinning room off Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center's cafeteria.
Relay for Life team meetings are scheduled for April 1 and 22, May 20, and June 3, also to be held in the dinning room at Jeff Anderson. Bank night, when teams turn in their contributions, is scheduled for June 8 at Union Planters Bank in downtown Meridian.