Press Release

Relay for Life Set for Friday and Saturday April 17 & 18 at Janssen Park

According to Gina Lawry, Chair of the Polk County Relay for Life, “The 2009 American Cancer Society Polk County Relay for Life is set for Friday and Saturday April 17 & 18 at Janssen Park in Mena, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday and ending with a closing ceremony Saturday morning at 10 a.m.”

“This community event is open to the public and there will be live entertainment, food vendors, information booths, fun activities and more,” noted Lawry.

“Approximately 350 people have signed up and formed 28 teams from all across the county to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

They will be working together to increase cancer awareness through their fundraising activities and one person from each team will walk in the relay around Janssen Park for the entire event - from Friday night until Saturday morning,” she added.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people across the country each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

According to Co-chair Richie Lawry, “Money raised through Relay for Life has two purposes; to fund cancer research and to provide at no charge a variety of cancer related programs and services to patients and those affected by cancer.”

“Last year’s Polk County Relay raised over $60,000 and this year’s goal is $64,000,” he noted.

For information about cancer, access the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) website at www.cancer.org or call the 24-hour toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345.

For more information about the 2009 Polk County Relay for Life contact Gina Lawry at (479) 394-6172