Local 2083 Takes To The Streets in Relay For Life

Bingo!! And the big winner was the American Cancer Society with $1800.00 in donations. May 14, 2004 Local 2083 Tuscaloosa, AL sponsored a "Relay for Life".

This annual event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It is designed to bring communities closer together in celebration of hope and to remember those whose lives were cut short by cancer. The Relay for Life is an over night event, where participates walk a track to “earn” the money that is pledged.

In May 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon and avid runner, took the first step of his 24-hour walk/run around a track in Tacoma, Washington. He clocked 83 miles, raising $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society. The following year, 220 supporters on 19 teams joined Dr. Klatt in this overnight event, and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life was born.

Over the last 18 years, Relay For Life has spread to 3,800 communities in the United States and eight foreign countries. What began as one man’s statement in the fight against cancer has led to the development of a worldwide event to help banish cancer.
Cancer develops when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.

Normal body cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion. During the early years of a person's life, normal cells divide more rapidly until the person becomes an adult. After that, cells in most parts of the body divide only to replace worn-out or dying cells and to repair injuries.

Because cancer cells continue to grow and divide, they are different from normal cells. Instead of dying, they outlive normal cells and continue to form new abnormal cells.

Local 2081 Members baked and donated cakes for the cakewalk, paid entry fees for the relay walk and purchased t-shirts. Food was donated by local merchants and our Skill Trades Team did a great job with the grill.

In addition, Local; 2083 had a ring toss, bingo games and racecars. The relay walk was a huge success with seven - 4-man teams participating.

The unselfish giving of the 217 members of Local 2083 made it a winning day for all.