Cast Off Against Cancer set for Sunday celebration

 

Media release: Cancer Navigators' main benefit of the year is in the backstretch as "crews" ready their final fundraising tallies and their decorated oars – all to be revealed in Sunday's celebration at the Harbin Clinic Tony E. Warren, MD, Cancer Center.

 

The Cast Off Against Cancer 2012 event – on tap 2-6 p.m. – is the culmination of two months of fundraising as well as a commemoration of the Cancer Center's first anniversary.

 

Dozens of teams from Harbin Clinic, Floyd Medical Center and Redmond Regional Medical Center as well as numerous community teams have been selling everything from T-shirts to cupcakes and have hosted events ranging from restaurant days and pancake breakfasts to yard sales and horseback trail rides.

 

"Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters committed to our mission to help local cancer patients have been working so hard to collect much-needed funds," said Charlotte Atkins, executive director of Cancer Navigators. "Sunday is the chance for the crews to come together for an afternoon of reflection, celebration, camaraderie and good music."

 

The outdoors event will begin with a welcome by Rome Mayor Evie McNiece. Then Harbin oncologists will remark on the cancer center's impact in its first year followed by Cancer Navigators and patients sharing how trained navigators help them on their journey from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

 

Then hundreds of supporters, health care providers and cancer patients will walk from the Cancer Center, down West 5^th Street, turn right on N. Fourth Avenue and then again on W. Third Street and head to the Pedestrian Bridge for a ceremony where participants will drop white daisies into the Oostanaula River to honor those who have battled cancer.

 

"That will be a poignant, bittersweet time remembering those who fought valiantly and lost their battle, like our beloved board member Kandi Riddle this past year. She was a memorable part of last year's event and will be missed this year. But it is also a time to honor those who have made the journey and are here in victory."

 

The group will stroll back to the Cancer Center where the street-party-style celebration begins in the front parking area. The Broad and Third band will perform for the final two hours.

 

"During that time we invite the teams and the public to bring their camp chairs and come enjoy upbeat live music and the spirit of victory over cancer," said Atkins. "We will recognize the top teams with awards for most money raised, most spirit and best decorated oar. Folks will not believe how teams have been able to transform simple oars into creative, fun and inspiring symbols of hope. It's going to be hard for the judges to pick a winner. Of course, the real winners are the cancer patients who don't have to make this journey alone thanks to the hard work of these teams and the generous giving of our community. "

 

Corporate sponsors for the event are Harbin Clinic, Redmond Regional Medical Center, Floyd Medical Center, State Mutual Insurance Company and Heritage First Bank. In the event of rain Sunday, the outdoor event will be moved indoors at the Cancer Center. No alcohol or tobacco products are allowed at Sunday's event. Parking will be behind the cancer center and in adjacent Floyd Medical Center lots. The Cancer Center is located at the corner of Second Avenue and W. 5^th Street in Rome.

 

 

Cancer Navigators is a Rome-based nonprofit that helps local cancer patients navigate their medical care and connects them with needed resources. The group is 100 percent supported by community donations. 

 

Donations may be mailed to Cancer Navigators, 3 Central Plaza, Suite 415, Rome GA 30161. For more information, contact Cancer Navigators by calling 706-295-4119, e-mail info@cancernavigatorsga.org or visit the Cancer Navigators Facebook page or its website at www.cancernavigatorsga.org.