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By ROCHELLE HARRELL

Special to the News-Herald

MURFREESBORO – “Welcome Home” was the sentiment during the opening ceremony and overall feeling of those in attendance of the Relay for Life of Hertford Gates event held Friday, Sept. 6 in Squirrel Park on the campus of Chowan University.

‘It is good to be back’, ‘Being back here, makes it feel like Relay’, ‘Being in Squirrel Park is what makes our event so special’ are some of the comments you could hear throughout the crowd in attendance.

The evening was kicked off by the Gates County High School Junior ROTC presentation of the colors. We were honored to have local survivors take part in the opening ceremony.

The National Anthem was sung by Barbara Jernigan followed by the Rev. Roy Sharpe who offered the invocation. The attendees were welcomed back to Chowan University by Dr. Rosemary Thomas, Chowan’s President. During her opening, she shared her excitement to continue her involvement with Relay for Life as she has done for years when she lived in West Virginia.

Murfreesboro Mayor Hal Thomas then those in attendance back to the town.

William Riddick, one of the 2024 Relay event leads, and Lynn Fields, one of the founding event leads, presented an award to Chowan University thanking them for being the site of the event and recognizing this being the 20th year the Relay for Life event of Hertford Gates being held on the campus. Dr. Thomas invited the Board of Trustees in attendance to join her in accepting this award on behalf of the University.

As tradition, the first lap of the evening was the Survivor lap. Winnie Matthews, the 2024 Survivor committee co-chair, invited the survivors to take the track for their lap, having first year survivors to be at the front. She then asked them turn and look at those survivors standing behind them. This was to remind them they were not in this alone, the survivors standing behind them had their back.

As the survivors walked their lap, those in attendance cheered and applauded each step they took. After the survivors completed their lap, the caregivers were then asked to take the track. It is important to acknowledge the caregivers. Their care, dedication and support to their survivors is so important.

During the Kid’s Walk, the youngsters in attendance walked their lap around track wearing gold capes as super heroes alongside characters. Gold is the color for childhood cancer and September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The Kid’s Walk Committee held a dance party along with other activities and games throughout the event.

 

Just before 9 pm, volunteers began to light the 500 luminaria bags and more than 40 flames of hope. These luminaria light the track with hope and remembrance. This is always one of the most special times of the evening as the teams shutdown their activities and the lights are turned off to have the luminaries be the only light shining.

This year during the luminaria ceremony, Shannon Pittman, one of the 2024 event leads and Luminary chair, read two poems along with each name represented on the bags and flames of hope.

There were three food trucks and 12 teams who set up to sell food, drinks, Relay for Life merchandise, drawing tickets for prizes and had games for attendees. The weather was very nice, the teams and food trucks worked together to make sure there was something for everyone. Survivors, Caregivers, attendees enjoyed the food, fun and fellowship together.

The committee was excited to have a few of American Cancer Society staff in attendance during the event. “Having the opportunity to work directly with the Relay For Life of Hertford Gates counties has been spectacular,” said Bennita Dunham, Senior Development Manager of the Southeast Region who assists the planning committee throughout the planning year.

“The survivors, sponsors, teams, volunteers and participants all make the experience special and understand the impact they are making in support of the American Cancer Society,” Dunham continued. “Being back at Chowan University was refreshing and I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.”

Dunham noted that the money raised at Relay for Life of Hertford/Gates are not only making an impact locally, but on a national level as well.

“With every visit to our local ACH Hope Lodge in Greenville, I’m reminded of the countless hours of our supporters in Eastern NC,” Dunham said “Thank you Relay for Life of Hertford Gates counties and a special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Nucor Steel – Hertford County.”

Melanie McCullough, the Director of Regional Integrated Marketing, attended this event for the first time and she shared her thoughts about her experience.

“Relay For Life of Hertford Gates counties was a beautiful event and it was an honor for me to attend,” McCullough said. “There are some many passionate, dedicated volunteers in these counties. I loved meeting volunteers in these counties. I loved meeting volunteers and cancer survivors who have been involved in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement for nearly 30 years, and who were instrumental in first bringing the Relay for Life event to Chowan University in 2001.

“This event truly honored the strength and courage of cancer survivors, while also offering a beautiful remembrance of those we’ve lost to this disease. The commitment from this community is helping us get closer to fulfilling our vision of ending cancer as we know, for everyone,” she added.

Richard Averitte, The American Cancer Society Area Executive Director, said, “Relay for Life of Hertford Gates counties is a jewel in our event space for several reasons. It’s held on the beautiful campus of Chowan University, they have a top 20 team in Nucor Steel Hertford County, and a most importantly have a community who supports our mission to end cancer, as we know it, for everyone.

“Congratulations to all of the volunteers and staff who made the Hertford Gates County Relay For Life a tremendous success,” stated Dr. Thomas. “Chowan University is proud to welcome Relay back home to the incomparable Squirrel Park on our campus. It is our honor to host this event that celebrates survivors and remember those who fought the good fight.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way the Relay for Life of Hertford Gates committee pulled together to make this event a success,” said William Riddick. “I look forward to us building upon this year and continuing to grow our event.”

If you missed the actual Relay event, watch for other activities in the local area. If you want to find ways you can become involved or donate, visit the event website: www.relayforlife.org/hertfordgatesnc