CULLMAN, Ala. – This year’s Cullman County Relay For Life event took place Saturday, May 30, at Depot Park. The celebration raised money for the American Cancer Society, honored cancer survivors, remembered those lost and supported cancer research.
Included were the traditional Survivor Lap, recognition for caregivers, luminaria displays and fundraising activities and opportunities. Emcee and longtime supporter Gary Cornelius said Cullman County is still one of the few places in the country that holds a traditional Relay For Life.
“It’s about celebrating our survivors, remembering those we’ve lost to cancer and recognizing the fundraising this group has done to help fight cancer,” Cornelius said.
Planning for the large event starts months ahead. Committee members begin in the fall, and fundraising picks up after the new year. Teams work for months to raise money, and all proceeds go to American Cancer Society programs and cancer research.
Cornelius explained that the money raised supports research and patient programs like Road to Recovery, which gives rides to treatment and Hope Lodge, which offers free lodging for patients who need to travel for care.
Relay For Life is very personal for Cornelius, who became involved back in 1995, and was then diagnosed with cancer in 2002. He said research funded by the American Cancer Society helped him reach remission.
“Because of research that was funded through the American Cancer Society, it was the treatment that allowed me to get in remission,” he said.
Cornelius remembered walking his first Survivor Lap with his young daughter and promising that he would one day walk her down the aisle. He kept that promise earlier this year.
He said it is important for the community to stay involved because cancer touches almost every family in some way. “Cancer touches everybody in our community. They’ve had a family member, they’ve had a friend, they’ve had somebody in their work life, somebody in their life that has been touched by cancer.”
Anyone who wants to help can join fundraising efforts, become part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network or volunteer with the local Relay For Life committee.
Get more information at www.facebook.com/RFLCullmanAL.
