Roswell Employees Raise Close to $20,000 For Relay For Life

From American Cancer Society:

Roswell, GA (June 22, 2016) - The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Roswell raised more than $80,000 for cancer research and patient programs while honoring cancer survivors and caregivers at its 2016 event.

City of Roswell employees, known as Team Roswell, once again came together to double their efforts raising over $16,000 making them the Top Overall Team. All city departments from public works, police, and parks & rec participate by holding various fundraisers. The honorary chair for Relay For Life was Mayor Jere Wood's wife, Claudia.

“I am so happy that Relay For Life of Roswell witnessed a surge of interest and participation this year," said Kim Weber, Relay For Life Event Lead and city of Roswell special events coordinator. "Through the Dine Out to Wipe Out Cancer week a large variety of restaurants were able to be more intimately involved... and each team was actively fundraising before our event which gave us the opportunity to focus on survivors and create a more meaningful event."

Additionally, the city supports the effort by encouraging employees to sign-up and allowing special incentives such as growing beards or painting their nails. This year they created a community art display called Hearts of Hope.

It involved the creation of hundreds of clay hearts that were purchased and personalized by individuals wanting to honor or remember loved ones affected by cancer. Each personalized heart was placed on a special art display at Roswell City Hall. The exhibit will be featured at other locations in Roswell.

City employees participate for a variety of reasons.

“Up until now I participated because of friends and co –workers that have passed or survived. Last week my 51-year-old cousin passed away from lymphoma after a yearlong battle. I now have a family member that has been taken and it gives me a whole new outlook for wanting to participate,” comments Robert H. Rogers, deputy chief – operations

“In the five years I have been involved in Relay, I am constantly amazed and inspired by the commitment and energy of the community that comes together to fight cancer through this event. Cancer feels like an overwhelming foe, but when we face it together during Relay, we feel empowered, optimistic, and capable of making a difference,” adds Karen Zitomer, CPC, Community Relations Coordinator

“I Relay to make an impact and to support those not only fighting cancer, but for the survivors who have gone thru the journey and their family members. Relay for Life has been very close to my heart having lost two grandparents to cancer, and currently watching my mother battle with it. Cancer is a journey and having the American Cancer Society and the support from your team members and Relay for Life, it makes the journey just a little bit easier for everyone involved” says Kiran Fitania, wellness supervisor

“We are excited about our success this year,” said Holly York, American Cancer Society Relay for Life community manager, South Atlantic Division. “In addition to providing more funds for research, we will be providing more rides to treatment and lodging to cancer patients. Thank you to the thousands of people in our community who donated this year in support of easing the pain and suffering from cancer."

Relay For Life is a community-based volunteer-driven event held annually in cities throughout the world.

Teams get together and raise money over several months in advance of the Relay either online, by organizing mini fundraisers or give-back events, or by personally contacting friends and family. More than 30 teams and 500 registered participants from Roswell businesses, places of worship, schools, community groups attended this year’s event.

Visit the Relay For Life of Roswell website for more information, or to become involved contact Holly York at holly.york@cancer.org.

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Photos courtesy of the American Cancer Society.