By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
March 1, 2001
The cure for cancer is at the end of a long road, and the journey will continue June 8 in Lauderdale County with hundreds of steps by organizers, supporters, volunteers, survivors and victims' families at Relay for Life 2001.
Ask Anne Chalk, who on June 1 was diagnosed with breast cancer even as she worked on last year's Relay for Life advertising campaign as senior director of Gianakos Associates Inc.
Relay for Life is a nationwide campaign, during which walkers raise money for research to fight cancer. The event also honors those who have survived cancer and remembers those who did not.
This year for the seventh consecutive year, the event will be held at Meridian High School's Ray Stadium. Last year's Relay raised $312,000.
Not only is Chalk now in remission and expecting a full recovery, but her work on last year's advertising campaign earned her business two top media awards from the American Cancer Society.
Betty Lou Jones is the Relay for Life chairman.
In 2000, Lauderdale County's Relay for Life was recognized for being one of the top two Relay for Life fund-raisers per capita.
Each year a person from the community is chosen as honorary chair of the event. This year, Meridian's oncologists will serve jointly in that position.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.
Did you know?
A&B Electric Company
Super Stop
Structural Steel Services
Cellular South
In-kind sponsors:
Gianakos Associates
Clear Channel Communications
The Meridian Star
The Radio People
Committee chairmen:
Archie Anderson, team recruitment
Anthony Wilson, sponsorship
Dee VanDevender, survivors
Diane Griffin, luminaries
Dennis Warren, entertainment
Zula Kimbrell, activities
Judy Hammack, competitions
Linda Todd, ceremonies
Tim Miller, logistics
Sandi Warren, registration
Cynthia Touchton, Bank Night
Joel Johnson, volleyball
Sue Gruno, Cancer Smart Shop