Welcome friends!

Welcome to the 2014 Relay For Life of Franklin County. We’re here to Dream Big, Hope Big, and Relay Big. And, we’re here to finish the fight against cancer.

This is an amazing event. Every year, families, friends, coworkers, community leaders and neighbors gather for one reason: to put an end to cancer. This 12-hour event takes us together on a journey, symbolizing a day in the life of someone fighting cancer, a disease that never sleeps.

For more than a century, the American Cancer Society has been leading the charge in the fight of a lifetime. You can help us finish the fight. Sixty years ago, one out of three people diagnosed with cancer survived at least five years. Today, thanks in part to the work of the American Cancer Society, two out of three will survive. Let’s make it three out of three.

We gather as a community, determined that those who are facing cancer will be supported, that those who have lost their battle with cancer will NOT be forgotten, and that, together, we will continue to fight back.

This year, we dedicate our Relay to Susan Phillips, a mother of five from Farmington. Last year, Susan was with us at the Relay, hustling to make a difference in the fight. All the while, she was fighting her own fight against breast cancer. This past year, we lost Susan. We are saddened by this loss and we dedicate our Relay to her for her spirit and example of strength and grace to us.

As important as remembering those lost to cancer is recognizing and supporting those who have survived it. We have a lot of cancer survivors who join us at the Relay. We honor them and their caregivers by asking them to take the first lap.

As you all know, it takes a tremendous effort to organize an American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I would like to thank our planning committee for all it does to make great things happen:

Anna Lyon, Luminaria, Publicity, Online

Sharon Huff, Survivors

Terry Macomber, Registration

Mort Stabilus, Logistics, Facilities

Theresa Haley, Logistics

Heather Meng, Support

Mary Marion, Team Recruitment

Jeannie Gaudet, Survivors

Melissa & Adam Speich, Activities

Mac Watts, American Cancer Society representative

Together we are creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays! So let’s make some noise!

I’d also like to thank our Event Sponsors, without whom this would not be possible:

Franklin Savings Bank

Hannaford

Poland Spring

Sea-Vu Campground

WKTJ

In addition, we are thankful to the many local businesses who have contributed gift certificates for our survivors’ reception, in-kind donations and general assistance toward our goals. Thank you, one and all.

If you have never been to a Relay, please consider joining us, even if only to see what it’s all about. You’ll find we are all pretty friendly and, although our goal is very serious, we like to have fun along the way. See you at the Relay!

Warmly,

Dee LaPlant

Chairman, Relay For Life of Franklin County