American Cancer Society Relay for Life Awards and Appreciation Ceremony Held

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life held its awards and appreciation ceremony on Thursday, June 5, 2014. at the IBC Bank located at  2395 E. Main Street in Eagle Pass, Texas, recognizing local persons, organizations, and companies who assisted and participated in the 2014 Relay for Life fundraising event.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey E. Cantu welcomed and congratulated all the local individuals, organizations, and companies present at the awards and appreciation ceremony.  Mayor Cantu is the Honorary Chairman of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Maverick County and is an ardent advocate on the fight against cancer.  Mayor Cantu stated that there is not a more noble cause in the  community than the fight against cancer.

“To all of the Relay for Life teams that participated, we thank you. Every year has been a successful one. As the Honorary Chairperson, it gave me nothing but great pleasure to see that the committee came together and made sure that the event was held after a two year absence,” said Mayor Cantu.

During the April 2014 Eagle Pass Relay for Life event there was a total of 42 new Cancer Survivors that participated.  There was a total of $28,359 raised during the event. There were 225 participants and 11 teams registered, raising $24,109 for the event.  There were also seven sponsors that raised an additional $4,250 and three local businesses that donated over $5,000 in in-kind contributions.

“We are truly appreciative and we thank you all for what you do ,” said Mayor Cantu.

Mayor Cantu also thanked the sponsors of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in Maverick County.  “Your support is a wonderful expression of what you are doing to help us win this battle against Cancer. We commend you for doing your part and in this cause we look forward to your continuous support as we start planning for the 2015 event,” said Mayor Cantu.

Corporate sponsors recognized for their significant contributions to the 2014 Relay for Life in Maverick County included IBC Bank-Eagle Pass, Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center, Langley & Banack Law Firm, Falcon international Bank, Border Federal Credit Union, and The Herring Law Firm.  Also recognized for its in kind contribution was the City of Eagle Pass.

The Maverick County American Cancer Society Relay for Life Committee also recognized the relay teams that participated in the fundraising event, including the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas , Glass Elementary Fighting Falcons, Kennedy Hall, International Bank of Commerce, and Graves Elementary for each raising over $1,000; Maverick Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Falcon International Bank for each raising over $2,500; and the City of Eagle Pass employees for raising $5.482.

During the awards ceremony, the participating Relay for Life teams were awarded trophies and certificates for their participation in the 2014 Relay for Life fundraising event.  Earning first place as the best decorated campsite during the event was Glass Elementary, second place went to IBC Bank-Eagle Pass, and third place was Kennedy Hall.

Named as having the Best Decorated Relay Baton was the City of Eagle Pass employees, second place went to the C.C. Winn High School Student Council, and third place was Maverick Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Named as presenting the Best Decorated Banner was Glass Elementary, second place went to Kennedy Hall, and third place was the C.C. Winn High School Student Council.

Recognized as having the Best T-Shirt Design was Glass Elementary, second place went to City of Eagle Pass employees, and third place was the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas.

Named as the Most Spirited Team was Kennedy Hall.

Recognized as the  top fund raising community teams were the City of Eagle Pass employees with $5.322, second place was Falcon International Bank with $3.462, and third place was Maverick Nursing and Rehabilitation with $2.727.  Mayor Cantu thanked the community division teams for all the work they did in raising funds and awareness.

Named as the top school team fund raisers were Graves Elementary in first place with $2.237, second place was Kennedy Hall with $1.841, and third place was Glass Elementary with $1.234.

Mayor Cantu also recognized the Maverick County American Cancer Society Relay for Life Committee for their outstanding work and awareness, including Chairperson Guadalupe Escobedo, Co -Chairperson Eloisa Rodriguez, and Committee Members Virginia Lackey, Elsa Guajardo, Dora Sanchez, Isamari Villarreal, Dolores Frausto, Irene Rodriguez, Yvette Valdez, and Diana Beattie.

In the fight against cancer, silence is the worst enemy.  The American Cancer Society Relay for Life features community and campus events that offer an inspiring opportunity to honor cancer survivors, promote how individuals can reduce their cancer risks, and raises money to fight cancer. American Cancer Society research and fight against cancer help save 400 lives per day in the United States.