By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
March 28, 2001
The theme of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life 2001 is "The Walk of Life" a journey Tim Putnam is happy to make.
Putnam, a cancer survivor, was diagnosed with liver cancer in October 1997. He learned two weeks later he also had colon cancer. He endured 18 rounds of chemotherapy, five days a week, and has been cancer-free for 18 months.
He has taken part in Relay for Life's Survivors Walk for the past two years and will lead others down the same road this year, he said during a press conference Tuesday held by Relay for Life supporters who dubbed him honorary chairman for this year's fund-raiser.
Putnam is president of Deweese Enterprises Inc., better known across Mississippi as "Super Stop." He has worked for Super Stop since 1971, first in Jackson and since 1975 in the Meridian home office.
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is the largest fund-raiser in the United States. Locally, organizers are hoping to raise $325,000 during the June 8-9 event. Last year, Relay for Life raised a record total of $312,000 marking the third consecutive year that Lauderdale County was recognized nationally for its effort.
During Tuesday's press conference, Jones also announced two new sponsors, Meridian Oncology Associates and WKZB "The Buzz" Radio.
The Buzz entered as in-kind sponsor and Meridian Oncology Associates joins the ranks of existing sponsors Structural Steel Services, Super Stop, A&B Electric Company and Cellular South.
Mississippi Power Company is the luminary sponsor this year. Gianakos Associates, Clear Channel Communications, The Meridian Star, the Radio People (New South Communications) and WKZB "The Buzz" Radio will be Excalibur level in-kind sponsors.
For more information about getting involved, call Archie Anderson at 693-2431.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.