American Cancer Society

The sixth annual Bark for Life of Washington County raised more than $2,200 to help fight cancer, said Cathy Beckley-Thomas, the American Cancer Society's community manager for Washington County. Beckley-Thomas said 48 dogs were registered, which is a record for the local event. In addition to walking a lap around Fairgrounds Park, participants could compete in several contests, including ones for best-dressed dog and best trick.

The Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and the American Cancer Society are teaming up on Saturday for the second annual "Paws for a Cure" dog walk. The dog walk will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the future site of the animal shelter, 5051 W. Letterkenny Road in Chambersburg. Last year's event raised more than $2,000 that was divided between the two organizations, according to a spokesperson from the CVAS. Event organizers said the goal of the event is to raise money for two worthwhile causes.

Main Street Martinsburg is teaming up with organizers of Relay for Life to launch a "high heel" kickoff event for the annual American Cancer Society fundraiser this year. The first Paint the Town Purple weeklong awareness event from April 3 to 9 will be capped off with a purple, high-heel race on Queen Street with Relay for Life participants, officials announced recently. Martinsburg City Council earlier this month approved Main Street's plan to close the 100 block of North Queen Street for the race between noon and 2 p.m., Main Street Martinsburg executive director Randy Lewis said.

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 16; and 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at South Hagerstown High School Stadium. The event celebrates survivorship and raises money to help the American Cancer Society save lives. For information, call Stacey Kijowski at 1-301-964-2929 or go to www.acsevents.org/faf/home/default.asp .

Neighbors asked to help in fund drive The American Cancer Society is making phone calls asking area residents to help with its Notes To Neighbors fund-raising campaign. Hundreds of residents already have volunteered to mail personally signed letters to their neighbors requesting donations to fund services and programs offered in the community by the American Cancer Society. For information about the campaign, call Tamye Strickland at 1-888-414-0606.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life team at D.M. Bowman Inc. presented a check for $9,763.77 recently to the American Cancer Society. The team sponsored a golf tournament May 14 and, through the help of employees, vendors and sponsors, the team was able to raise the money. It was the 12th consecutive year the team raised money for charity. 

The Outlaw Allstars Reload Cheerleaders, sponsored by the Hagerstown Area Police Athletic Leagues, recently donated $500 to the American Cancer Society. The money was raised by making and selling beaded cancer bracelets. A portion of the profits from each bracelet was donated to the agency.

The Bark for Life of Washington County was postponed Sunday due to rain, said Cathy Thomas, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society in Washington County. The event had been scheduled for Sunday at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown. Bark for Life is a noncompetitive dog walk fundraiser, according to the organization’s website.

Cancer Society honors committed volunteer By TARA REILLY / Staff Writer Nine years ago cancer survivor Tressa Nicewarner began volunteering for the American Cancer Society, doing anything from organizing events to taking part in activities. continued She was honored Sunday by the organization at its 12th Annual Grand Sunday Brunch at Ramada Inn in Hagerstown. The event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. "It took me by surprise," Nicewarner said.

HAGERSTOWN -- It was her husband who drove her to chemotherapy treatment as she battled endometrial cancer. When she received radiation, Sharon Gildee, now 62, drove herself. Now, nearly two years since Gildee, of Hagerstown, was told that cancer had formed in the tissue lining her uterus, she is helping Washington County residents get to and from their cancer treatment. Gildee is one of about 15 "Road to Recovery" volunteers who work with Washington County's chapter of the American Cancer Society.

The sixth annual Bark for Life of Washington County raised more than $2,200 to help fight cancer, said Cathy Beckley-Thomas, the American Cancer Society's community manager for Washington County. Beckley-Thomas said 48 dogs were registered, which is a record for the local event. In addition to walking a lap around Fairgrounds Park, participants could compete in several contests, including ones for best-dressed dog and best trick.

Seeking 500 Washington County enrollees to participate in a 20- to 30-year study aimed at finding cancer cures, the American Cancer Society on Thursday hosted an enrollment kick off with the plan to start collecting information and local blood samples in July. The national cancer prevention study, called CPS-3, looks to gain information on genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors that cause cancer by studying a sample constituting a diverse population of 300,000 Americans, according to Cathy Beckley-Thomas, Community Manager of the American Cancer Society's South Atlantic Division.

Pa. American Cancer Society volunteers thanked To the editor: This year the American Cancer Society celebrates its 100th birthday. On behalf of our patients, families and communities, your American Cancer Society would like to take this opportunity to thank our valuable volunteers who support us in our mission to Finish the Fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

Andrew Potts is determined to become a cancer doctor no matter how many sleepless nights it takes. After staying awake for 24 hours at a time at seven American Cancer Society Relay for Life events, Hedgesville High School's senior class president should be ready for late night study sessions for medical school. “I'm sure it's taken years off my life, but it's well worth it for Relay for Life,” said Potts, 18, of Falling Waters, W.Va. Potts, who was recently recognized by the American Cancer Society for outstanding student leadership, said he hopes to get other young people to stay up with him at this year's relay, which is slated for June 1 at Martinsburg High School.

 “I'm calling about the U.S. debt. I feel that if the people who commit crimes and get life sentences plus 100 years, etc., should go ahead and be executed, to save the amount of money we're spending to take care of them, and that any other prisoner not have any contact with the outside world.” - Rohrersville “I'm calling about a response that was in The Herald-Mail Mail Call on the 22nd of August. A gentleman states that the Congress, or Republican Congress, does nothing.

When Selena Doyle's mammogram test results came back inconclusive last August, she first thought she would just have to take the test again. “The year before, my mom's test came back inconclusive, so I thought no big deal....,” Doyle recounted Friday night at the Relay for Life for Southern Washington County. Then, she felt a lump while taking a shower. She thought it was hematoma from the mammogram. It wasn't. “I was shocked because I felt healthy,” Doyle said of her diagnosis, which came Sept.12.

Watching 66-year-old Dorothy Kuhn slowly inch her walker around Greencastle-Antrim High School's track on Friday for the start of the Greencastle Relay for Life was nothing short of inspirational.  The 18-year breast cancer survivor managed to travel a quarter of a mile on the track at Kaley Field before stopping to take a breather. “I lost my husband to cancer eight years ago,” Kuhn said. “So anything I can do to help, I want to do.”  With the help of her family's Just Dreaming 4 a Cure Team, Kuhn dreams of one day stopping cancer in its tracks.

Michael Scott Butts, 48, of Broadfording Road in Hagerstown, died from cancer on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at his home. Born on April 16, 1963, in Martinsburg, W.Va., he is the son of Janet L. Dove of Winchester, Va., and the late Boyd B. Butts. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence Butts. Michael was an avid horseman, and owned and operated Antietam Farms in Keedysville, Md., for 16 years. Most recently, he was employed with TE Connectivity in Waynesboro, Pa. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Lititia G. Butts of Hagerstown, and his former wife, Jennifer S. Baker of Keedysville.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year with predictions that 6,900 will die of the disease. On Monday, the West Virginia University School of Medicine will offer free oral cancer screenings in the first floor conference room at WVU Hospitals-East Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson. Dr. Majid Shafiei, a clinical professor at WVU School of Medicine and a local ear, nose and throat specialist, is coordinating the screenings.

Ms. Debra R. (Anderson) Clites, 57, of 15673 S. Young Road, Lot 7, Greencastle, died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18, 2011, in the Chambersburg Hospital, surrounded by her family, following a yearlong battle with cancer.   Born Jan. 8, 1954, in McConnellsburg, Pa., she was the daughter of William R. Anderson Sr. and Betty R. (Mumma) Anderson, both of State Line. She lived most of her life in the Greencastle area.   Ms. Clites graduated from Forbes Road High School with the Class of 1971.