Communities unite to help fight cancer
Local Relay For Life scheduled for May 9-10

Communities that live together can save lives together.

For the last six years, area municipalities have come together to support the New EgyptAreaRelay For Life,which helps raise awareness, funds and support for cancer victims and their families. This year will be no exception, and in the hopes of the large crowd at the seventh annual kickoff event on Feb. 24, will be bigger and better than ever.

In his address at the kickoff event, Keynote Speaker Jim Matthews, of Millstone Township, spoke about what it feels like to participate in Relay For Life.

The 12-year cancer survivor told those gathered at Indian Rock Campground in Jackson, "There is somuch strength and fellowship involvedwith Relay for Life, you become energized to be a part of it."

Matthews told his own story of battling cancer. He said that when he first went to the doctor, he thought he had a painful shoulder injury from playing sports. After several tests he later found out fromhis doctors that he had cancer.

"I at first hadmixed emotions," Jimsaid of his diagnosis. "Most of us who have cancer do.And like others, I soon began reading about cancer and getting educated."

Matthews eventuallywon his battlewith cancer, which changed his life, he said.

"My belief in God had a tremendous impact on me and helped me through that tough time," he said. "After 12 years since being diagnosed with cancer, I feel great."

Relay Chairman Anita Pfefferkorn, of Millstone, said, "Jim's personal story is inspirational, and one of the reasons we believe in the dedicated work of relay".

She and Co-Chair Jack Trotta, of the New Egypt section of Plumsted, unveiled this year's relay theme, "Imagine a world without cancer."

Nikki Bickart, an American Cancer Society liaison, told those at the kickoff that this year's event is planned to start on the evening ofMay 9 and towrap upwith a sunrise gathering onMay 10.

Pfefferkorn said, "What a better way to start the Mother's Day weekend than to come out, support relay and honor your mother or her memory."

She further stated that the relay is not a race.

"It is a gathering to honor all survivors wherewe embrace in a common goal to fight cancer," she said. "And with the progress we've collectively made, I, too, can imagine a world without cancer."

Anyone interested in being in the local Relay for Life can contact Nikki Bickart at nikki.bickart@acs.org orAnita Pfefferkorn at anita@indianrockresort.com or (732) 786-1881.