The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Relay For Life Nears
Greetings Henderson County,
Can you believe that in three short months it will be time to Relay?
Each year Relay For Life brings together more than 3.5 million people to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost to cancer and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease that takes too much from too many.
In the past we have done a good job of remembering loved ones through our Luminaria Ceremony and celebrating survivorship through our Survivors Lap.
This year Relay events across the country will begin to introduce a new, powerful ceremony designed to inspire and symbolize the emotional commitment we each make to fight against cancer.
My friend and fellow Illinois Task Force member, Val Boucher, a 13 year cancer survivor, will introduce the Fight Back Ceremony to Henderson County.
You will have the chance to take action by taking a flag that represents a commitment to save a life and by signing a pledge card that symbolizes the action that you will take to save a life.
For the past four years I have been proud to serve Henderson County as your chairperson.
I am grateful to the American Cancer Society for allowing me all of the many opportunities that I have had.
As I move on to another position on the committee I am pleased to introduce to you my new co-chair, Sandy Dunbar, who will take over the chair position for the 2009 Relay For Life.
Sandy is a melanoma survivor and lives in Biggsville with her husband, Jim. She works part time at the Henderson County Library.
Please help me to welcome Sandy to our committee and if you see Sandy in the library please introduce yourself and share your Relay story with her.
There is a poem by Conor McMahon called "Someday I Will Find A Cure For Cancer".
I personally believe that together we can find a cure, and the day we do we will dance for joy!
Yours in Relay,
Charlotte Shafer
2008 Henderson County
Relay For Life Chair
2007-2008 Illinois Task Force Member
Support 34VOICES At West Central
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter so that anyone who drives on the section of Highway 34 stretching from the Great River Bridge to Monmouth is aware that there is a group of students from West Central High School who are being extremely proactive in trying to get that section of highway widened for the safety of all who use it.
This group of students has named themselves 34VOICES. Their mission is to move our elected government officials to make this part of Highway 34 a safer road to travel.
If you have traveled at all on this road, you know the amount of deterioration that has taken place.
Not only that the road is narrow, with deep ravines along each side that have taken many lives over the years.
34VOICES does not want anyone else to get a phone call telling them that a loved one has died along Highway 34.
I believe we should support this young group of people and help them to better our community by making travel easier and safer.
By strengthening our infrastracture, it will not only save lives, but also help Henderson County grow economically.
They are planning several community activities in the near future to help raise awareness of the project; please do whatever you can to support them.
Laurey Gray
Gladstone