Real winners in Relay for Life fund-raiser American Cancer Society
The Herald-Standard beat the Fayette County Commissioners, 14-12, during the sixth annual Relay for Life softball game at Bailey Park in Uniontown, evening up the charity series at three wins apiece. However, the real winner Sunday evening was the American Cancer Society, the organization that benefits from the annual fund-raiser. Total proceeds were $625. All the money was raised through dollar donations for program sales and 50/50 drawings.
Frances Kachur of Hopwood threw out the first pitch of the game. A cancer survivor for 12 years and counting, Kachur said she hasn’t thrown a softball since her children were little, but that she was delighted and proud to participate in the event.
“I haven’t practiced, but I think that when you’re a cancer survivor, you can do anything,” she said.
Kachur, the 2006 Fayette County Relay for Life survivor ambassador, said she has been involved with the event since being diagnosed with breast cancer more than a decade ago. Since then, she said she’s met countless other cancer survivors and said each and every one of them are her “heroes.”
“They inspire me, energize me and keep me going,” she said, noting how important it is for people affected by cancer to stay positive.
“Don’t give up hope,” she said.
Ed Kustron, chairman of the Fayette County branch of the Relay for Life, said money raised during the fund-raiser is used for cancer research. He said most of the proceeds stay in Fayette County, noting that the money is also used to pay for transportation costs to and from the doctor’s office for cancer victims, among other things.
Although he was not certain of the number of cancer patients in Fayette County, Kustron said almost everyone knows someone affected by cancer, be it a family member or a friend.
Kustron said Relay for Life usually raises between $150,000 and $200,000. He said Fayette County teams have raised $1.4 million in the last 12 years, noting that $194,000 was raised in 2005.
Mark O’ Keefe, coach of the Herald-Standard softball team and executive editor for the newspaper, said the annual charity softball game is important because it brings the community together and brings awareness to Relay for Life.
Although attendance at the softball game seems to fluctuate, O’Keefe said the event seems to garner more interest every year.
“People support it,” he said. “It’s a fun event, and everyone can have a good time for a good cause.”
Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites said he fully supports the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and enjoys participating to help raise money for the cause.
“My mom passed away from cancer,” he said. “I’m glad to make any contribution, even a small one such as this.”
The Fayette County Relay for Life event will be held Aug. 12-13 at Laurel Highlands High School. For more information, visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.