Montgomery County News

Relay for Life enjoys new birth in Montgomery County August 12, 2009 - No reporter cited

On July 10-11, 2009, people from the surrounding area came together to participate in Relay for Life to begin a new tradition for the residents of Montgomery and Pike Counties. This event was the first of many that organizer Dee Jones is planning in a quest for awareness, education, and of course, a cure.  Jones is a transportation supervisor with CADC, who saw a need to give back. Her motivation to use her time and talents comes from having a family member who had to battle cancer, as well as others she has witnessed firsthand with their battles against cancer. In addition to the Relay for Life, she participates and donates her time to causes like the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Walk where she provides transportation for other participants.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s organized activity that involve the community in an overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs the event. Teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times . Cancer never sleeps-Relay for Life begins in the evening, goes through the night, which symbolizes the darkness that the patient goes through and then the dawn symbolizes the hope. The event held in July included a motorcycle poker run with two dozens riders.

The “Wolf Pack,” which is a local group of motorcycle enthusiasts, has experience with fund-raising poker runs, and they assisted Jones with the organizing and actual event.  They not only donated their expertise, but they also provided time, money and food. Event participants were entertained by the “Hard Times Band” and offered a variety of barbecued pork tenderloins, Polish sausages, brauts, chicken breasts, baked beans, cole slaw and barbecue sauce.

Other participants and providers of goods and services included: Whiskers; Kozy’s Bar; Cattleman’s; Colonial Grocery; Pearcy Mall-Check-in point; Norman Park-Facilities; City of Norman-Mayor Ginger Klein; Hays Rental; Wolf Pack- Keith Horn; Charlie Williams; Ron Powell; Melba’s, Sue; Ellen at Glenwood-Senior Center; Black’s Kountry Florist; Stitchin Post.

Relay for Life events that are in the planning stage for next year include:

Ride the trail rides-horseback; Motorcycle-poker run; ATV-rally; Bicycle and Tricycle- with cutest kid contest, best decorated bike, at the Glenwood Walking track; cutest pet; Stock Car-ride; Canoes and tube-float-ride the rapids as teams compete to raise money

Whenever people work together to solve problems, it brings out the best in everyone involved. Montgomery County and Pike County residents are working together to raise money for American Cancer Society awareness of what services are available, and this type of involvement is needed in order to bring these plans into realities.  All members of the community that have a loved one, or maybe even those who have a diagnosis of cancer can benefit from the services and awareness that the A.C.S provides.

When someone calls and initiates contact, Stina Brown, who is the district liaison for the American Cancer Society, follows through whenever someone contacts the American Cancer Society through their 1800-ACS-2345 number.  She follows up with information, answers to questions and referrals to providers of the “Look Good-Feel Good” program.

Look Good-Feel Good Programs-provide wigs and make-overs for those undergoing treatments. Local beauticians assist with selecting wigs or scarves.

Presently clients are referred to Hot Springs, Little Rock and Mena. There is a need for providers within Montgomery County and Pike County, and any that might be interested in being a provider would need to contact the ACS.

American Cancer Society is the largest volunteer run organization that exists. Cancer affects all ages. Presently, their slogan is “ Happy Birthday,” because you want to have more birthdays as a survivor. The four areas ACS provides education-early detection, advocacy-smoke free legislation, research-strides in treatments, developing drugs that can detect active cancerous cells to allow for removal of only the effected tissue, and information-assistance with questions about insurance, treatments, and any number of issues faced by people affected by cancer.

Recently a Mena survivor started a support group after he and his wife called and stayed on the phone for over one hour and half in search of answers. 

Through the ACS he received the guidance and information necessary to get it started. 

Dee Jones and Stina Brown plan to hold a meeting sometime in early September for anyone interested in being a part of the planning committee for the Relay for Life in 2010. For more information about the American Cancer Society call 1-800-227-2345 or go to their web address at http://www.cancer.org or http://www.relayforlife.org

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