Sandra Lefler, pictured at right with a cancer survivor, was an ambassador for Henderson County with the American Cancer Society Action Network.
Lefler was one of 10,000 who attended the Celebration on the Hill "Relay For Life" in Washington, D.C. last month.
The event opened with drum and bugle corps and color guards from all the armed services and a parade of flags.
The Grand Opening began with 6500 cancer survivors walking around the reflecting pond.
The 17th congressional district group, of which Lefler was one, went to Capitol Hill to meet with Lane Evans and ask for his support to:
„ Invest in the National Branch and Cervical Cancer early Detection Program,
„Boost federal funding for cancer research and programs,
„Sign the Society's Cancer Promise.
Congressman Lane Evans was unavailable, so Lefler and others from the 17th district met with Janna M. Bergquist, Legislative Director. She also signed up for a cancer prevention study CPS3.
The Wall of Hope consisted of 5,000 banners covering 3 city blocks with signatures of supporters.
On the 20th of September a light was lit to make the Beam of Hope. It shone 2,000 feet into the skies over Washington, D.C. Twenty thousand luminaries were lit at the conclusion of the event.
Lefler said, "It was a truly awesome event and one I was proud to be a part of. I will continue to be your advocacy chair person and an ambassador in the fight against cancer. One day the fight will be won and cancer will be a word not a disease."