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Simpson County Relay of Life is ready to Paint Our World Purple with their 2016 kickoff Campaign Meeting.
The committee met Monday night January 11, 2016 at the training center of Priority One Bank.
Simpson County’s Relay for Life is schedule for April 29, 2016.
If you are interested and would like to help or donate contact any committee member.
Deborah Cockrell recognized the following for the 2015 awards.
The 2015 South Mississippi Team of Excellence
PriorityOne Bank and Peoples Bank
Excellence in Helping to Prevent Cancer
This award is given to a volunteer who has worked Hand in had with the American Cancer Society to further out prevention and early detection – through fundrasing efforts and being an active volunteer on a team and event leadership team. Volunteers who have recruited others to join relay.. Winner is Mary Ann Jones
Excellence in Caring for those with Cancer
This award is given to a volunteer who has worked on a project or activity that allows the American Cancer Society to further our quality of life initiatives. Works direcctly with out County Cancer Survivors. Winner is Susan Smith
Excelllence in Advocating and Fighting Bank
This award is given to a volunteer who has worked on a project or activity that allows American Cancer Society to fund our mission or enables others to join the fight. Volunteers who have recruited others to join the ACS. Winner is Linda Bennett
We honor the following media outlets for their outstanding support of the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and the Mission of the great organization.
Our Lighthouse Media Award Winners are:
Magee Courier and MageeNews.com
2014-2015 RFL Charis and Co-Chairs
Debbie Crofton-Walker, Heather Cross, Mary Ann Jones and Pam Wallace
New 2015-2016 Event Leads for RFL Leadership
Heather Cross, Mary Ann Jones, Pam Wallace, Madelyn Gray and Paige Russum.
Marion Moore · Works at Self Employed (Business)
I raised my children in the 80’s. One of our annual traditions was participating in Relay for Life, since I lost my mother and grandmother to breast cancer many years ago. I vividly recall marching door to door, asking every passing face to have pity on the victims, to search themselves to be part of a combined effort, to assist the weak and helpless. Then at the event, we gathered with others who had been traumatized, hurt or left behind from this horrible disease. United we were the survivors, victims, families… thousands of people… bonded in pain and hope. Every penny collected was raised with such strength and honor in hopes that one day, someone else wouldn’t have to feel the burning agony of cancer. As our kids grew to adulthood and my husband and I grew older, we didn’t have the strength to continue the relay, but we always managed to send our donation.
Then, a few years ago at our Church, we met a young family. The wife worked at the local ACS office. We became close with them, babysitting their children and being good friends. She regularly talked about her position and duties. Although I liked this lady, I felt very uneasy over some of the things I learned. They lived very comfortably; brand names, private schools, housekeepers and such. She traveled often, sometimes monthly, sometimes weekly to lavish events and hotels. At times she took her husband, kids and friends with her, all provided for by ACS. She invited me as well, to an all expenses paid 5-star hotel and casino in Last Vegas. She explained her duties would only take a few hours and the rest of the 4-day trip would be full of fun and adventure. As tempting as it was, I couldn’t morally accept the offer. I knew in my heart it was very wrong. Last year she was transferred to another city and they moved.
Six months ago my neighbor’s daughter AND son was diagnosed with cancer. The emotional, physical and financial impact was so great for them, I reached out for help, with ACS at the top. After many attempts to the local and national offices, all they had to offer was a stack of pamphlets and condolences. I could not find one single thing that could help them in any positive way. This educated, retired couple who had money in the bank and a large nest-egg is now bankrupt and about to lose their home, in order to save their child’s life, who also was educated and had insurance.
A wave of hurt and betrayal came over me. I assumed there would be something… anything… All I could do was think. Think of those trips and lavish spending, and back to the relays our family wrangled though. How sad. How sad.
And I thought more and believe this is the truth- people will do anything and stoop to any level due to obsessive greed. Everywhere you turn in America someone is pushing the concept that money and possessions are the key to admiration and happiness. More, more, more. It’s everywhere, television, internet, media… Anyway you can get rich is acceptable. Even taking from the easiest source, the most vulnerable. Pharmaceutical companies are racing to find cancer drugs and cures themselves, not for the goodness for humanity, but to find the holy grail. The current drugs have astronomical price tags, and when it’s the only option to survive, they strike gold. These pharmaceutical giants have top scientists and researchers working around the clock to find not a solution or cure, but the best way to use cancer for the highest profit. It is a billion dollar industry. from what I’ve seen, unfortunately ACS is part of it.
Jimmy Carter one said the biggest fear we all should have is the growing gap between the rich and poor. How true that is. If you think you’re safe, educated, have a savings account with a clear mortgage, don’t be so gullible. Tomorrow it could be gone if your child, mother or spouse needed overpriced life saving drugs and you’re left to pay 10 or 20% to receive care.
Before you give anywhere, you don’t have to go far… go directly to the people, the victims… and ask- What has this organization done for you?
Like · Reply · 6 · Oct 6, 2015 11:13am
In response to the previous comment I would like to point out just a few things. First, when you give to ACS the money goes to fund several things. A large portion of the money goes to fund research. ACS is the largest non governmental funder of research in the nation. They also fund a call line so that people who have questions and concerns can call and talk one on one. I was in the room when we found out my mom had cancer. I don’t remember much past that statement. I’d wake up in the middle of the night with questions that I should have asked. The call in center is a source for situations like that among many other. Another portion of spending is in the area of prevention. They are the ones responsible for making sure tobacco users know it is harmful. Without their diligent efforts, the dangers of tobacco use could quite possibly be swept under the rug by tobacco companies chasing the bottom line. The spend money promoting the importance of routine screenings for various types of cancer. Everyone benefits from these expenditures.
They do have a travel reimbursement program and Hope Lodges for those staying away from home to seek treatment. Does everyone get to access these services? No. But certainly many do benefit from it. I have a friend whose husband required treatment in Nashville. She told me she would have been lost if not for the Hope Lodge and the volunteers on staff.
I am not saying the problems you addressed don’t exist. I don’t know. I haven’t looked into it. I do know that I see ALL the amazing things ACS is doing for people FAR beyond my reach and I know it is a worthy cause. Some have suggested doing a huge cancer fundraiser and donating it to cancer victims in the community. However, if you look at the number of people in our community with cancer and divide it by the amount raised at Relay (which would likely be less since giving to individuals isn’t a tax deduction, and that IS something people have to consider), the amount given to an individual family would likely be around $25 or less.
I’m all for raising money for families in need. My cousin and classmate, Travis Stringer, battled cancer for several years before he passed away in 2010. Our classmates and community got together and worked like crazy to raise money to help his family. But, we also made time for relay and raised money there.
If anyone has any questions regarding Relay For Life or the American Cancer Society, please feel free to call our Community Staff Partner, Debra Smith or the ACS hotline @1-800-227-2345.