Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Many things have changed since March 2020, and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life is no different. Most of the brick-and-mortar American Cancer Society offices in the country have closed and more than half of their staff members have been terminated. Fundraising is down and cuts had to be made.

Our focus and goal in 2021 is to remember why we Relay and continue to fundraise as best we can. The need to fundraise will never go away. Donation dollars have dropped dramatically.  Researchers cannot continue their work, patient education is still crucial, and legal advocates are needed for laws to benefit the greater good. We encourage our teams to get even more creative in raising money and awareness of the American Cancer Society missions.

Let’s remember the ones we have lost to cancer over the years, the ones who have recovered, the ones struggling with treatment/recovery. We hope you will join us at our 2021 Luminaria Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Smithfield Bank of Southside Virginia parking lot (site of the Farmers Market).

Donations for Luminaria may be made at www.RelayForLife.org/WTVA or by contacting me at 757-810-5207. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Pam Jordan

Volunteer

American Cancer Society

Windsor