While the weather intervened, the Annual DeKalb County Relay for Life went on as scheduled Friday night.
Showers forced the 20th annual event indoors at the County Complex rather than the original location of Greenbrook Park but even the rain could not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of the fundraising teams and participants.
This year’s theme was “Relaying Southern Style”
“This is our 20th year for Relay for Life and over those years its amazing to see how our dollars have worked that we have all worked together to raise for the American Cancer Society for the research programs. The methods they use are not as evasive to the body as they were in the early days. I am so glad that we in our county can be a part of doing something great,” said Relay Chairman Iva Dell Randolph in welcoming the crowd.
She also paid tribute to one of the founders of the DeKalb Relay for Life, Violet Fusion, who was a cancer survivor but passed away in May, 2012 at the age of 91.
(VIEW VIDEO OF CANCER SURVIVORS HERE)
“Twenty years ago when we first brought Relay for Life to this county there was a lady who was very instrumental in getting that here. We had been looking very hard at other campaigns and didn’t seem to be raising very much money. We had seen some of the meetings she had attended where they were having this Relay for Life. She talked to me about it and asked if we could do that. I said we can try and try we did and we have accomplished great things with all of us working together. That lady was Violet Fuson. Many of you remember her and knew her. She was also a cancer survivor. If we could have just a moment of silence and bow our heads in remembrance of Ms. Violet,” said Randolph.
The program began with the presentation of the colors by Boy Scout Troop #347 followed by Suzanne Slager’s performance of the National Anthem; Invocation by Chris Moore, pastor of the Smithville Church of God; welcome by Ivadell Randolph; introduction of cancer survivors; a prayer for cancer survivors by Dwayne Cornelius, pastor of the New Life United Pentecostal Church; and a song “I Believe” honoring cancer survivors performed by Don and Bonnie Rigsby. During the song, cancer survivors began their walk through portions of the county complex. Entertainment followed.