- We Relay for Life
by Kenyatta Greer
On December 31, 1984, Karen Roberts’ 9-year-old son Patrick was complaining that he didn’t feel well. Weak and achy, he didn’t want to play with his brother. Karen knew something was wrong. She immediately took him to a doctor, who sent them on to the children’s hospital. Soon after, the unimaginable was realized – Patrick was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).
Patrick spent the next three years on chemotherapy and having bone marrow tests to ensure the cancer had not spread. He attended school as his illness would allow and made friends among those who weren’t afraid that cancer was contagious and didn’t pick on him for being bald. He made it through, eventually becoming an athlete and living a normal life. He’s still in remission 19 years later. The information Patrick’s oncologist provided Karen gave her hope. The treatments gave Patrick a future.
Since then, Karen has lost other family members and a dear friend to cancer. “I can’t let their fight be for nothing,” she says. Their stories and Patrick’s are Karen’s reason to Relay.
“As a parent who had little to no information about this disease, I spent three years feeling like I was in the dark. I didn’t even know what questions to ask. Now, thanks to the American Cancer Society, all of the information anyone could possibly want is at their fingertips,” Karen says.
Karen, like many Primericans touched by cancer, looks forward to the day when a cure for cancer is found. Until then, we Relay to Accelerate a Cure. We Relay for Life.
Tags: American Cancer Society, cancer, hope, Karen Roberts, Patrick Roberts, Primerica, Relay For Life
Posted in Community, Primerica |
Disco hits played this past March 5 as Primerica Home Office employees joined the American Cancer Society’s Linda Story to kick off two months of fundraising for the Relay For Life of Gwinnett County with a balloon release. What started as one man’s marathon effort in 1985 – when Dr. Gordy Klatt, of Tacoma, WA, walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for ACS – has grown into to the world’s largest fundraising movement to fight cancer with 5,000 communities in 19 countries taking part.
You can buy luminaria to honor friends and loved ones who have died from cancer or are living with cancer, right here at the Gwinnett ACS Relay for Life site. Better yet, join us at the Luminary Ceremony on May 7 at the Gwinnett Fairgrounds! If you’re not in the Atlanta area, find out about an event near you by visiting the Relay for Life site.
The Primerica team of employees has been recognized as an All Star team each year for its very high level of fundraising. In 2006 Primerica was recognized as one of the Top 10 teams in United States for its efforts that year — which is no small feat given that there are over 200,000 Relay Teams across the country.
Primerica and its employees have given a total of $432,787 over the last five years! That’s what the ACS terms “Diamond Level” among fundraising teams — and what Primericans call an honor and a privilege.
“Primerica employees have driven cancer patients to treatment, served on boards and committees, asked for donations in many creative ways and always with a willing heart. We, the American Cancer Society, can not ask for a better partner,” says American Cancer Society Area Executive Director, Randy Redner.
Tags: American Cancer Society, Cancer Fundraisers, Community, Dr. Gordy Klatt, Primerica, Relay For Life
Posted in Community, Primerica |
Primerica Home Office associates annually raise funds and volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life program. This year’s effort took on a surfing theme and called on participants to help Wipe Out Cancer. In addition to participating in the Relay For Life event itself, the entire month of April led up to the Relay with events such as a tricycle race, baked goods and book sales, cookout fundraisers, a silent auction and more. Primerica associates form teams and compete to see who can raise the most money with their events. Relay For Life is a fun way to give back to the community. This year, Primerica raised more than $61,000 for Relay. We’re hoping that next year we can do even better!
Primerica people love to join together to make the community a better place.
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Tags: American Cancer Society, Cancer Fundraisers, Community, Primerica, Relay For Life
Posted in Community, Primerica |
