By Staff
To the editor:
This was the third year The Advance Press Crew participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. We set an ambitious goal this year n $10,000. I am pleased to say we reached that goal, but only through the support of the community.
We thank everyone who came out to eat pancakes with us. The all-you-can-eat pancake supper has become a Press Crew trademark as has the crawfish boil for Pepsi.
Thanks also to everyone who supported our yard sales, red beans and rice lunch, Atmore car tags sales and raffles. Thanks to everyone who simply opened their wallets and checkbooks and made donations.
We especially thank Robert Faircloth who, year after year, so graciously turns his restaurant over to us. Lois McDonald, who works at David's Catfish, works with us on pancake nights. Her help is invaluable. We always claim her as an unofficial team member.
Melissa Blankenship was also an unofficial team member this year, but she officially became part of us.
We also thank Monica Buckhault, Huxford Elementary School teachers and students, Escambia County Middle School students, Robby McCann at Food Fair, Yummy Bouquets, and Helton's Service Center.
When the day came to turn the money in, we were short of our goal, but we realized our goal was in sight. We took to the streets, asking for donations from local business people. The Press Crew really appreciates those who helped us in the 11th hour – Gwen Dorriety, Wanda Smith and Pat Still, Becca Smith, Howard Shell, David Lambert, and Danny Coley.
Thanks to Judy Pylate, Rusty Miller and Vickey Sellers for being our fearless leaders.
Thanks to Atmore for being a community that takes up the fight despite the naysayers. Even naysayers get cancer and we work so hard to make sure treatment will be there for them too.
The next time you're in a group of people – at a board or committee meeting, in church, at a ballgame, wherever – look around. See how many men are there. See how many women. Then consider this. One in every two men will be diagnosed with cancer. One in every three women will be diagnosed with cancer. Where does that leave you in the odds? Which one of the two or three will you be?
If you think we in Atmore can't afford to fund cancer research and education, think again. We can't afford not to.
Sincerely,
Myrna Monroe and Sherry Digmon
Co-Captains of the Press Crew