Submitted by Mary Lou Sundby
Oakes, ND (ACS) – The American Cancer Society’s Spirit of Relay Awards seek to honor and recognize all those who have gone above and beyond to help the American Cancer Society to end cancer as we know it, for everyone, through the Relay for Life movement. From engaging survivors or an entire school community to promoting your event or creating an event experience to remember, our individual victories will collectively translate to the ultimate victory of beating our biggest rival – cancer.
We present Spirit of Relay Awards in two categories: nomination-based (from the Regions and called the Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Awards) and data-determined. Of the nomination-based awards the categories include, Relayer of the Year, Team of the Year, Event of the Year. Each region selects the winner for each category and then region winners are moved on to be considered for the national selection of their category which will be announced in early 2025.
Behind every Relay for Life event are many talented, determined, and extraordinary individuals who go above and beyond to support the American Cancer Society’s mission. They lend their time, talents, and generosity to the Relay for Life movement.
Vickie was selected as the 2024 North Region Relayer of the Year for the American Cancer Society’s North Region, which is comprised of 17 states. To be named Relayer of the Year for the North Region means that Vickie stood out among all other nominations and met the criteria of meeting or exceeding year over year fundraising growth, had a direct impact on the ACS mission, and exemplified the spirit of Relay in her community. “Vickie has been instrumental in sharing the importance of why we continue to fight the fight against cancer which has been a challenge with our committee numbers small,” said Mary Lou Sundby. “She carries our event in her heart and her willingness to take on any role to make our yearly event a success made her nomination an easy decision!” “Having cancer affect myself and my family, it has become a passion of mine to help those who are going through this cancer journey any way I can” stated Vickie. “I believe in American Cancer Society’s motto, “cancer doesn’t quit so neither can we!!”
Without the American Cancer Society’s nearly 75 years of investments in research, patients wouldn’t have as many treatment strategies, screening tools and preventative measures. As the largest private not-for-profit, non-governmental funder of cancer research in the US, we’ve played a role in many of the major cancer research breakthroughs in the last century.
Relay For Life is a movement, a community of like-minded survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and participants who believe that the future can be free from cancer. Our community may be connecting in different ways right now, but our passion to save lives, celebrate lives, and end cancer as we know it for everyone, is unchanged. Have fun. Raise funds. Fight cancer.
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information, go to www.cancer.org