The Beat: Asheville’s Relay for Life raises money to fight cancer

photo courtesy of Relay for Life — Asheville

So far, the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Asheville has raised $100,000 for the national organization's research, education, advocacy and service programs. Though the initial event was held at A.C. Reynolds High School on June 3, fundraising continues through August 31. Donations can be made online at www.relayforlife/asheville or at the American Cancer Society office (120 Executive Park Building 1, in Asheville).

The local event’s success can be attributed to the efforts of 520 participants. During the Survivors Victory Lap, approximately 75 cancer survivors circled the track and were recognized for winning their battles against the disease. A total of 3,000 luminaire bags circled the inner and outer loops of the track, and spelled out HOPE and CURE in the bleachers, in honor of those touched by cancer and in memory of those lost.

Cupcake for Cures was the top fundraising team, raising $12,129. Marlene Frisbee was the top fundraising individual, raising $2,443 for the American Cancer Society.

For more information about your local Relay For Life, please visit www.relayforlife.org , call Bonnie Gundlach at 215-6800, or email her at relay.bon@gmail.com. Or visit the event website at www.relayforlife/asheville.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by prevention, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For information, call 800-227-2345 any time of the day or week or log onto www.cancer.org.

No home?

Dozens of adult-care homes in North Carolina — including one in Buncombe and another in Henderson County — could be forced to close and their mentally ill residents released with few options for finding a new home, according to a recent report in The [Raleigh] News & Observer.

“As many as 1,200 North Carolina adults who are mentally ill could soon be put out of rest homes and assisted living centers, as federal Medicaid regulators start enforcing a long-standing law that prohibits housing too many such residents alongside elderly people,” says the report by Thomas Goldsmith and Michael Biesecker.

Canterbury Hills in Buncombe and Hampton House in Henderson could be affected, says Lee Ann Smith, longterm care regional ombudsman for the Asheville-based Land of Sky Regional Council.

Asheville Humane Society sends teams to help tornado victims

Even though a deadly tornado hit more than two weeks ago, the number of displaced pets in Joplin, Mo., continues to grow as rescue teams and citizens bring stray animals to the ASPCA Emergency Animal Shelter, housed in a large warehouse building next to the Joplin Humane Society. The Asheville Humane Society is sending teams to help, says CEO Katherine Shenar.

"We are sending our two most experienced teams to assist with this emergency, knowing that the community of Joplin is overwhelmed by the mayhem and stress of this tragedy," she says. "Individual AHS staff members have taken up a collection for care packages to be delivered to Joplin Humane Society staff, who have been working strenuously to save, reunite and rehome animal victims. We wanted to extend compassion, friendship and support during this difficult time."

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About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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