'Wall of Hope' banner going to D.C.

Pictured are just a few of the RE/MAX staff members as they signed the banner at a recent sales meeting. This banner was displayed during the local Relay For Life event back in June as has been circulated to many of the businesses and church teams that also took part in the 12th annual signature event for Relay For life. The local school teams will have the opportunity to sign the banner before it is packed for shipping later in August.

"The American Cancer Society, Relay For Life, Union County, Ga., will be represented in the first ever 'Wall of Hope' Monument during the 2006 Celebration on the Hill this September," announced former Community Ambassador Sue Upchurch. Mrs. Upchurch reports that the monument will be unveiled during the American Cancer Society's Sept. 19-20 event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

As a testament to the spirit, courage and strength of the millions of Americans touched by cancer, the American Cancer Society will be constructing the

temporary monument to patients, survivors and loved ones. The "Wall of Hope" will be created from 5,000 banners adorned with the thousands of signatures and messages of support from volunteers around the country urging Congress and the White House to make cancer funding a national priority.

"Our Wall of Hope banner is being sponsored locally by our longtime friends and supporters from RE/MAX Enotah Realty here in Union County. The realtor team has been active in our local events since 1995 when they fielded one of the first business teams," reported Mrs. Upchurch. "We are pleased that Lester Chesser and his associates have chosen to support this portion of our Relay For Life Advocacy and Education efforts," she added.

As part of the Celebration on the Hill, there will be new community ambassadors from around the country attending the two-day event. "A new community ambassador has been named for 2006," announced Angela Puleo, ACS Staff member. "Janet Hartman will be joining 448 volunteers from the South Atlantic ACS Division along with several hundred more volunteers from all over the nation in Washington, D.C. for the September 19-20 event," she stated.

Mrs. Hartman will be telling the stories of the countless loved ones who have battled cancer as she joins other volunteers to show our country's lawmakers how the American Cancer Society is waging the fight against cancer in our local communities. Mrs. Hartman stated, "I am excited to be a part of this event where the 'Wall of Hope' monument will be the focal point of the Celebration on the Hill. This will demonstrate the unity of the entire country in support of cancer survivors and their families." The Union County banner will be added to the 4,999 other community banners, each full of signatures and messages of hope. Hope for a cure, hope for more education and prevention efforts, hope for better patient services, and a better quality of life for survivors.