Survivor’s Dinner set for April 9

Volunteers working to organize Grady County’s annual Relay for Life fund raiser to benefit the American Cancer Society invite all cancer survivors to attend a special dinner in their honor.
Those who want to attend the “Survivor’s Dinner” may make reservations through Monday, March 28. The dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 6 p.m., at Eastside Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The church’s Homemaker’s Sunday School class is providing the meal. “As always, there will be food, fellowship, door prizes and entertainment,” says Sharon Prince, chairwoman of the dinner.
To make a reservation, contact Ms. Prince at 229-977-0951, or spsherred@hotmail.com.
The Relay for Life kicks off on Friday, April 15, at 6 p.m., at the Cairo High School track with a goal of raising $45,000. Cancer survivors start off the relay, walking the first lap, followed by a lap walked by caregivers.
So far, 17 teams have registered to walk the track during the six-hour event, and organizers hope at least eight more teams will sign up to participate. Closing ceremonies begin at midnight.
During those six hours, team members will walk the track to bring awareness to the battle against cancer. The theme of the 2011 relay is “Dancing for a Cure,” with a “Twist Contest” planned during the night along with “Minute to Win It” games, musical and dance entertainments. Other activities include a scavenger hunt and cake walk.
The Luminary Ceremony, always a special part of the evening, is scheduled for 9 p.m.
Volunteers are seeking more corporate sponsors and teams. Those interested in supporting the effort may contact Relay Chairwoman Cheryl Williams at 229-403-1249, or via email at cherylcooperwilliams@yahoo.com.Mrs. Williams has a personal connection to cancer and says she works to raise money for the Relay and American Cancer Society in memory of her late mother, Claudia “The Cake Lady” Johnson, who passed away Nov. 19, 2010, after a short bout with lung cancer. “We don’t want anyone to hear, ‘you’ve got cancer,’ and we certainly don’t want them to hear, ‘there’s nothing we can do’.”