Relay raises more than $335,000

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
June 8, 2003
The ninth annual Lauderdale County Relay for Life event tallied $335,143.50 for the American Cancer Society, organizers said Saturday.
More than 100 teams contributed money for cancer research, education on cancer prevention and early detection, and services for cancer patients.
Although the fund-raising effort officially ended with a rainy, all-night Relay for Life celebration that began Friday night and ended Saturday morning at Meridian High School's Ray Stadium, Linda Todd, advocacy chairperson for Lauderdale County Relay for Life, said more donations are expected.
Todd, vice president of nursing at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, is an advocacy ambassador of the American Cancer Society who represents Lauderdale County along with Betty Lou Jones, longtime American Cancer Society volunteer, and Wayne Herrington, administrative director of the Jeff Anderson Regional Cancer Center.
During the Relay for Life event the American Cancer Society conducted a poll on the subject of smoke-free policies and tobacco taxes.
Todd said about 124 people participated in the poll with 97 percent in favor of a smoke-free ordinance in Meridian, 98 percent in favor of a state-wide smoke-free law, and 93 percent in favor of increasing Mississippi's cigarette tax.
Relay for Life participants were also given a chance to register to vote Friday night.
In a prepared press release Saturday, Kimberly Hughes, government relations director for the American Cancer Society in Mississippi, said cancer is a political issue.
For more information about the American Cancer Society's advocacy efforts, or Relay for Life, call toll-free, 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the Web Site, www.cancer.org.