Asheville fights cancer through Relay For Life

ASHEVILLE – Laura Clark, event leader of this year's American Cancer Society Buncombe County Relay for Life committee, said she never thought about cancer until it came knocking at her family's door.

"Cancer is something that will take you by surprise," Clark said. "One day my husband got a call from his mother that she has been diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer and it was spreading fast. She made it less than a year after the diagnosis."

Then Clark's father was at the Veterans Administration Hospital for his regular colonoscopy, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"It was caught in time and they were able to operate and remove the prostate," she said. "My boss, who is very dear to me, has just been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. This goes to show that cancer can affect you at any given time."

Clark is part of Warriors on a Mission Team for Relay for Life, which is Saturday at Carrier Park. Forty teams of community members will join together for the six-hour event, where team members take turns walking the track to help raise money for cancer research for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

The Relay For Life program is a community-based event where teams and individuals set up campsites at a school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team has at least one participant on the track at all times.

Cancer survivors and caregivers take a celebratory first lap to start each event. Four million people participated in more than 6,000 events worldwide last year. The funds raised support groundbreaking cancer research, education and prevention programs, and critical services for people facing cancer.

"It is thanks to the dedication of relay teams like Warriors On A Mission Team member Laura Clark that support the society's lifesaving mission and help save lives," said Sandra Dennison, Relay for Life community manager.

This year, the national theme is "Hope," so the Buncombe County Relay Committee decided to go with the theme "Carnival Of Hope."

"They wanted to incorporate some of Asheville's fun arts culture into the theme and thought Carrier Park would be the perfect community location to host the event," Dennison said. Last year's event was held at Asheville High School.

"When looking for a location, we look for a centralized venue within Buncombe County. It needs to have access to a track or walking trail to accommodate our Relay participants walking to represent hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those that face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated."

Cancer survivors can take a lap for free with their caregivers, and any community member can participate by forming a team, coming out to the event to cheer on other teams, or donating.

Eaton Corporation's Team EatonCares donated a $10,000 grant for Relay For Life.

"Eaton Corp recognizes that community involvement is a vital part of being a good corporate citizen," said David Becker, of Eaton Corp.

"We draw upon the facilities and residents of the community and should, in turn, contribute not just to the economy of the community, but also to its programs and growth. Like Memorial Day, the Relay provides us with remembrance of those who have fallen, a celebration for those who have survived, and an understanding to obligate oneself to our community and engage in the fight to cure what ails us."

The presenting sponsors are Mission Cancer Center and Hospital, Eaton Corp., and Coaches vs. Cancer, Dennison said. The platinum sponsors are 21st Century Oncology, Harry's on the Hill, Electrolux, and Crowne Plaza of Asheville. Gold sponsors are Turner, and Gentle Family Dentistry-Dr. Bowman Hensley.

In addition to the walk, there will be live bands, including Eddie Rose & Highway 40, Matthew Curry & The Carolina Two, P.A.R. III, and Thankful Hearts, as well as a cornhole tournament, football toss, food vendors, Mission Cancer Care Dunking Booth, kids activities and more.

Jolynn Sessions will be participating as captain of Team Mission Cancer Care, which encompasses the entire cancer care team: nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, support personnel, advanced practice providers, researchers, physicians, social workers, dieticians, and other integral team members.

"The Mission Cancer Care Team has put their hearts and souls into preparing for the relay for life, for the love and support of all of our patients," Sessions said.

"We represent Mountain Radiation Oncology, HOPE Women's Center, Cancer Care of Western North Carolina, Mission Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Group, the inpatient oncology staff at St. Joseph's campus, and so many more. We are dedicated to this cause, because this is our passion, these are our people, and these are the patients and families that we have dedicated our lives and careers to."

Join the Relay

The Relay for Life of Buncombe County will be 4-10 p.m at Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road, Asheville. Cancer survivors can take a "Survivor Lap" starting at 4:10 p.m. Saturday.

Form a team or make a donation to the Relay For Life of Buncombe County. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/buncombenc or call 800-227-2345.

3-4 p.m.: Survivor Tent registration for T-shirt and giveaways

4 p.m.: Opening Ceremony

4:10 p.m.: Survivor/Caregiver Walk

4:15: Team Walk

9 p.m.: Luminaria Ceremony