Kim Beardsley has only one goal for Oxford’s Relay for Life this year ? ‘one more of everything.?
‘I’m going with the one-more rule,? explained the 44-year-old Oxford resident who’s chairing the May 22-23 fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. ‘My goal is to earn at least $1 more than we did last year, have one more team than we had last year, have one more participant than we did last year.?
Last year’s event raised $48,000.
Based on the Relay for Life kickoff event held Feb. 25 at Oxford High School, things are off to a pretty good start.
‘Going into last night, I think we had four or five teams confirmed,? said Beardsley the next day. ‘We now have 15 teams and I couldn’t even tell you how many participants. The word is getting out there.?
Relay for Life is the signature event for the American Cancer Society. It features teams of people walking around a track for 24 consecutive hours because ‘cancer never sleeps.?
The theme for this year’s Relay, to be held once again at the OHS track, is ‘Happy Birthday? because the American Cancer Society bills itself as ‘the official sponsor of birthdays.?
‘I personally feel they’re responsible for giving me my birthday this year,? Beardsley noted.
On May 25, 2005, Beardsley was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went into remission around Christmas that same year and has been cancer-free ever since.
She will celebrate her five-year anniversary as a survivor during this year’s Relay weekend.
‘They say your anniversary date is the date you were diagnosed because from that point on you start fighting,? Beardsley explained.
Beardsley’s been participating and volunteering in the Relay since 2006 when she was a guest speaker at the event. This is her first time serving as chairperson.
‘After I became involved in 2006, I kind of made a little promise to myself, if I survived my five years, I would celebrate by chairing the event,? she said.
Beardsley indicated this year’s Relay is going to be somewhat different than previous events.
‘In the past, the Relay seemed to have been more about the entertainment ? the dancing, the music,? she said. ‘And that’s good, but we’re going to focus a little more on the survivors and why we’re there.?
For instance, for the first time in Oxford’s Relay history, there will be a team comprised strictly of cancer survivors. It’s called the ‘Super Survivors? and it will be captained by Beardsley.
But an increased focus on cancer survivors and the fight against the dreaded disease doesn’t mean there won’t be fun stuff, too.
‘We will still have the little girls dancing. We will still have people singing. We will still have the tennis shoe toss and kickball,? Beardsley said.
Beardsley is inviting everyone in Oxford to help raise funds and build awareness in the fight against cancer.
‘Cancer touches everybody in one way or another,? she said. ‘Everybody knows that cancer’s out there and they know that it’s part of life, but it really doesn’t hit you until it personally affects you. It’s something we all have to learn to live with because it’s there.?
To learn more about the Oxford Relay for Life visit www.relayforlife.org/oxfordmi.
To get involved, contact Kim Beardsley at (248) 701-1355 or via e-mail at kbeards65@sbcglobal.net.