Posted 5/2/01
Corporate sponsors needed: North Branch 2001 Relay for Life kicks off with 39 teams, two corporate sponsors and a $100,000 goal
By MaryHelen Swanson
Thirty-nine teams and two corporate sponsors kicked off the 2001 Relay for Life event at a meeting at Tanger Outlet Center recently. This year the event is set for July 27-28.
Stanley Tanger offered $5,000 and G & K Builders $1,000 to get the ball rolling for this unique community effort to raise money to help knock out cancer.
In addition, the North Branch Sno-Drifters snowmobile club has seeded the pot with a $100 donation.
The two-day, all-night event will again be held at Tanger Outlet Center in North Branch.
Teams of 10-15 people will be raising money in all manner of ways in the next couple of months and then will walk all night in one of the most emotional and stirring activities of the summer.
Each year, the event begins with the recognition of area cancer survivors who then take the first lap of the track. They represent success from a few months to as many as 25-30 years cancer-free.
Then, officially started, all of the teams begin their night-long vigil with at least one member on the track at all times.
The event includes a multitude of fun and educational activities, with good food and lots of prize drawings.
A particularly heartfelt moment comes at dusk when the luminaries are lit, all decorated in remembrance of or in honor of cancer victims or survivors. It is a somber moment as the candles are lit and the glow of the light warms the faces of the steadfast participants.
More teams are welcome for this yearís event. They can be organized at your business, your office, school, hospital, church or friends, family or neighborhood. Young people are encouraged to form teams, especially teens and young adults. Last yearís Kids for a Cure was a team of young people from the North Branch area who wanted to help along with the adults. Their valiant efforts were admired by all.
Funds raised go to the American Cancer Societyís programs of research, education, advocacy and service with a potion of it kept in this county to assist our own cancer patients.
Sharon Gallagher, event chair, says the Relay for Life event is as much an awareness-raiser about the progress of cancer research as it is a fundraiser.
She notes that having the cancer survivors participate each year is proof that the survival rates and quality of care are improving.
The Relay for Life committeeís goal for 2001 is to match last yearís $100,000 success.
Corporate sponsors are very important to this event. In past years, they included Tanger Outlet Center, First National Bank, G & K Builders, North Branch Furniture Outlet and Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center.
Corporate sponsors have their logo included on event-sponsored promotional brochures and materials and are mentioned in pre-event publicity.
They also have a chance to display their corporate banner at the event and will have their logo appear on the back of the relay participantsí T-shirts.
More importantly, corporate sponsors help Relay for Life reach its fundraising goals and, along with all the hard-working teams, help make life better for those living with this dreadful disease. These sponsors donate $1,000-$5,000 toward the event.
Businesses interested in helping the North Branch Relay For Life reach its 2001 goal of $100,000 by becoming a corporate sponsor should contact Sharon Gallagher at 674-5886.
New teams are encouraged (45 teams would make a great relay) and still welcome and captains should call Sharon Gallagher. She has a packet that will help new teams with organizing, theme ideas and fundraising activity suggestions.