By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Cancer is not a respecter of persons. It can hit anyone — any age and any gender. My mother died of breast cancer that had metastasized to her bones and brain.

One of my dear friends, Laura Beth Gill, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer a few weeks ago. She never smoked, just got sick one day and fainted out of the blue.

I have friends who have survived this disease, some fighting the disease and others who have lost the fight. I know I am not alone.

Now is the time we can all unite and do something positive to fight this awful disease. Come be a part of the South Shelby Relay of Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money to fight this disease through much needed research and support for those affected.

The South Shelby Relay for Life Kick Off will be Tuesday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m. at Bernie’s on Main in Columbiana. Linda Wren is event chair and Mary Strehle, event co-chair, assisted by Mayor Stancil Handley and Columbiana Police Chief Lamar Vick.

Wren, a cancer survivor, started the South Shelby Relay in 2000, and it has raised more than $817,000 since its inception.

For the first time, South Shelby will have two relays: Chelsea, May 3, at 6 p.m. at Chelsea High School and Columbiana, May 10-11, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the Columbiana Sports Complex, 198 McDow Road, next to the Shelby Humane Society in Columbiana.

“The journey to end cancer starts with a single step,” says the ACS. “The American Cancer Society invites you to take that step with us by joining the global Relay for Life movement. When you walk to end cancer, it’s your opportunity to not only honor cancer survivors and remember loved ones lost, but also to raise awareness about what we can do to be well from cancer and raise money to help fuel the world’s largest walk to end cancer.”

Come join the Relay at Bernie’s Jan. 22; register at relayforlife.org/southshelby or relayforlife.org/chelsesaal; or call Paula Johnson ACS, 205-918-3212, paula.johnson@cancer.org.

To register go to: relayforlife.org/southshelby or relayforlife.org/chelsea.

 

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.