Being this year’s event chairwoman for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, I would like to thank the residents of Androscoggin County for their generosity and support.

This is the 19th year we have held a Relay For Life event in our community. What one doctor in Tacoma, Washington began as a pledge to fight back against this disease has evolved into an event that spans more than 5,000 communities in the United States and 19 other countries.

This is my third and last year as chairwoman for ACS-Relay For Life. What an honor it has been knowing, with a team, that others have had a fighting chance because of funds raised for research.

When I first decided to join ACS-Relay four years ago, it was because of the Hope Lodges program that allows families to stay for free at various locations throughout the country.

Being a part of ACS, I have learned so much about the support it gives to others throughout this country. They help kids ages five to 18 and family to have one week a year of camping with volunteer nurses and doctors on site. ACS helps other organization with the Look Good Feel Good program along with free Pantene wigs. ACS offers free rides to appointments and so much more. Its programs can be found on the American Cancer Society’s website.

I would like to thank this year’s Relay committee for their dedication in helping others Finish the Fight! The 2013 committee dedication made this event possible through their hard work.

Cathy Holt, co-chair — who will be chairwoman next year and I know will do an awesome job; Susan Goddard, publicity chair; Joanne Dillion, online chair; Janet Miles, advacocy; Mark Fortier, registration and fund raiser chair; Mike Laliberte, family activities chair; Keith Pray, survivor dinner chair; Larry Gordon, logistics chair; Bonnie Bickford, Pantene chair; and our American Cancer Society staff: Mac Watts, Allan Rowe and Sue Clifford.

In addition, I would like to thank all the team captains for their dedication and who have been raising money and recruiting new team members over the past few months. Team captains’ and team members’ commitment and drive is the heart of our event.

A warm thanks for the generosity and support of our event sponsors who make the Relay event possible goes out to: Hannaford, Sea Vu Campground, Dunkin Donuts, Iberdrola USA/Central Maine Power, Mechanics Savings Bank, Kennebec Equipment Rental, Poland Spring Water, Kaplan University, Pedro O’Hara’s, Margarita’s, Marco’s, Roadhouse, Sun Journal, Uncle Andy’s, Twin City Times, Turner Publishing, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Great Falls TV, Channel 7 Greene local access, channel 11 Leavitt Are High School.

It is not too late to join Relay For Life of Androscoggin County. You may get involved with Relay at any time. Visit www.relayforlife.org/androscogginme or email [email protected] to learn how to register or volunteer for our event.

Sincerely,

Belinda Samson

2013 Relay For Life Chairwoman