New Relay for Life teams, cancer survivor luncheon plans, a fun family carnival and a visit from the "Celebration on the Hill" bus were among the numerous topics discussed when the Butler County Board of the American Cancer Society met last Wednesday at L.V. Memorial Hospital.

ACS Chair Joan Reynolds reminded those present to encourage all current team captains to make a special effort to attend the next team captain's meeting, on April 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the YMCA.

"This is especially important for our new team captains…it keeps everyone on top of things and it helps support the event," Reynolds emphasized.

Forty-three teams, including five of the county's seven public schools and two of its private schools, are committed to raising money to find a cure for one of the nation's number one killers.

Reynolds noted that board members are often questioned about monies raised.

"In the light of September 11, I think the community is especially concerned about where this money goes…much of it does go to fund cancer research.

Since we do not have a research center here, that means, yes, it is going out of the county…but it is also going toward a cure.

That is what we are trying to find

a cure for cancer."

It was noted that some of the funds raised come directly back into Butler County through programs and services such as Look Good, Feel Better', Road To Recovery', I Can Cope' and support groups available to all cancer patients in the county.

Reynolds announced that a very special event will be taking place in the Camellia City one week prior to the relay (scheduled for May 10-11).

"On the morning of May 4, a bus promoting the upcoming "Celebration on the Hill" Cancer Relay [to be held in Washington, D.C.] is coming through Greenville…we are one of only two or three places in the entire state where this bus will stop, so we should consider this quite an honor," Reynolds remarked.

The special bus has been featured on CNN and is being used "to raise awareness on a national level of the fight against cancer."

"We want lots of people to turn out for the Celebration bus…it's is a really exciting thing," said Reynolds.

Plans for the annual cancer survivors' luncheon also were discussed.

Survivor Chair Vivian Killingsworth encouraged all area cancer survivors to come out and attend this year's luncheon scheduled for Friday morning, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.

"We can also use items for our survivor goodie bags…notepads, pens, fingernail files…75 of each, for anyone who wishes to donate these types of items to us," remarked Killingsworth.

Flyers featuring the Relay for Life schedule also will be going out in all cable and Pioneer Electric bills and the public is encouraged to "be on the lookout" for this information.

The Greenville Advocate also will carry information about many upcoming relay events.

The next ACS Board meeting is scheduled for April 17. Pioneer/Acme is the corporate sponsor for the Fifth Annual Relay for Life, scheduled for May 10-11 at the Butler County Fairgrounds.