The Fulton County Relay For Life committee announces the selection of this year’s Honorary Chair, Anita Eckley. Anita is a Fulton County resident of rural Swanton and is presently employed at Archbold Equipment Company. She will be sharing her story at the Opening of the Relay For Life Event on June 10, 2016 at 6 p.m. at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. Relay For Life is a signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.
Ms. Eckley, a breast cancer survivor, has been involved with Relay For Life in Fulton County since 1998 and is a member of the Lytton Zion UCC church team. Over the years she has served as her team’s captain numerous times. She has also served in various capacities on the Relay committees that present the event each year, including heading up an event in Swanton for several years before that event was re-merged into the main County event.
When asked why she supports the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life she responded,
“No one fights cancer alone. I had the help of the doctors, nurses and technicians, and most especially my family and friends as caregivers. But if not for the researchers, the medications and treatments would not be known. Other people funded American Cancer Society research in years past, which led to discoveries that I have benefitted from, to the point that one of my doctors, when releasing me said he had to say I was cured.
I never know if someone I love will be the next one to need treatment and I would want the best options for them. All I can do to give back is continue the fight – fundraising for more research, participating in Relay For Life, and praying that what we do here leads to betterment for others. And if I experience a recurrence, not that I am expecting that, I hope we have made enough progress that another doctor will be able to tell me a second time that I am cured.
For now I ask everyone to join me in fighting cancer through Relay For Life. We have a great time and the work we fund is important and does lead to discoveries that might help your loved one, or maybe you.”
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