McDowell Nursing & Rehabilitation Center presents Relay for Life with $1,000 donation
Gary, W.Va. – The McDowell County Relay for Life has one goal; to celebrate more birthdays, and McDowell Nursing & Rehabilitation Center joined their crusade with a $1,000 donation to the recent fundraising and awareness event at the Gary football field.
John "JP" Reed and Mary Lou Odom, co-chairs of the planning committee for the local Relay for Life and Melanie Meachum, Community Manager for the American Cancer Society, visited the long-term care center to receive the donation at a ceremony.
"We're looking to build a lot of enthusiasm for this event," Reed said. "Also, we are looking for people in the community to help us build on this year's success and serve on the 2012 Planning Committee."
A majority of the money raised from Relay for Life goes toward research in finding a cure for cancer, while some of the money raised stays in the community for programs such as "Road to Recovery." This program enables volunteers to give rides to people fighting cancer to and from their doctor and treatment appointments.
"This event is all about celebrating more birthdays," Meachum said.
The donation was made possible through the AMFM Charitable Foundation, Inc., which operates McDowell Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. The foundation provides money to its' family of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities to support community events, charities and programs.
"Cancer affects so many people in this community, this county and state," Shelia Stewart, Executive Director for McDowell N&RC, said. McDowell employees and several patients, one a cancer survivor, participated in the Relay for Life, and plans on continuing this relationship that is focused on finding a cure for cancer.
"It is so important, and we are very blessed to be able to help with this wonderful cause," Stewart said.
For more information on volunteering for the 2012 planning committee, contact Meachum at 304-327-8770 or at melanie.meachum@cancer.org.