Relay for Life is a community-driven event which raises funds for cancer research and awareness. 15-year-old Melissa fills in the role of Honorary Chair for Relay for Life Clearwater. Melissa was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2009, and serves as the inspiration for the community to fight.
Not only does Relay for Life serve as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society to support cancer research, Relay for Life raises awareness for the importance of cancer screening. “Without cancer screening, someone without cancer screening, people may never know that they have cancer,” says Melissa. “I was lucky to have broken my leg, which was how I found out I had cancer.”
As the Honorary Chair, Melissa attends Relay for Life functions, and actively works to recruit new participants in the fundraiser. Melissa’s team Cruisin’ for a Cure is currently the top fundraising team for Relay for Life of Clearwater with $3,147 raised so far.
“My Nana, my aunts and I have met so many other people along my fight. Some of us have won the fight, some of my friends have lost the fight, and some are still fighting,” says Melissa.
Melissa is in the 9
th grade, and her favorite subjects are math and biology.
Relay for Life will honor cancer survivors through a Survivor’s Dinner provided by Crabby Bill’s and a survivor’s lap. Relay for Life will take place in Coachman Park May 13
th – 14
th, and is sponsored by Dr. Cesar Lara, Center For Weight Management and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.
For more information on Relay for Life of Clearwater, visit
www.realyforlife.org/clearwaterfl.
About Relay For Life:
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event, and is driven by volunteers. Relay for Life began in 1985 when colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordon Klatt decided to raise money for the American Cancer Society in honor of his patients by walking around a track in a 24 hour period. Today, Relay For Life events are held in more than 5,000 communities spanning 21 countries and have raised an estimated over $3 billion. All proceeds go to funding cancer research with the aims of stomping out the disease.
In addition to fundraising, the event also raises awareness of the disease and furthers the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, helping them get well, and by finding cures and fighting back.
More information on Relay for Life is available at
www.relayforlife.org.
About the American Cancer Society:
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, and advocacy.
The American Cancer Society is the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion to date. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have cancer will be celebrating their next birthday.
To learn more about the American Cancer Society, visit
www.cancer.org.
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