For the second year in a row, the Austin-Central Texas Chapter participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Westlake High School's Chaparral Stadium on Saturday, April 21st.  This nationwide event raises funds for cancer research through the efforts of volunteer "walkers" who form teams to collect pledges from friends, family and co-workers.

Team members spend the entire night from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. taking turns walking around the track at stadiums across the country. Our team held out until 1:30 a.m. - it was cool, damp and very windy; otherwise, we would have stayed all night. Through the generosity of the Chapter which donated $1,000 to the cause, ALA members who wished to participate were not required to collect pledges. Twelve (12) chapter members (including two cancer survivors) and six family members joined the event for all or part of the evening.  Several members of our ALA team went above and beyond the call of duty to collect pledges in addition to the Chapter's contribution. 

Deserving special recognition are Amanda Korte who raised $1,525 and Chrissie Eastin who collected $1,225 for a total ALA team contribution of $4,300.  Both women were awarded a special certificate in appreciation for their fundraising efforts at the April 26th monthly lunch meeting. 

In addition to the 18 participants at the event, many of you donated money and nine business partners also donated money (see their names listed below).

Although financial support for cancer research is the goal, one of the most rewarding aspects of this event is the rare opportunity to spend time with fellow chapter members in a relaxed and uplifting environment. You learn some interesting things about people walking around the track with them at 1:00 a.m.  The most important thing you learn, however, is what a hard-working, committed and entertaining chapter we have in Austin.

If you missed the Relay for Life, stay tuned, you can still join us for ALA's Community Challenge Weekend this fall.

Our team earned a silver award from the American Cancer Society for raising over $4,000.  They plan to make a presentation to us at our May meeting.

See photos of our event!

Business Partners who donated:

• Jim Jimmerson - USI Insurance
• Tommy Wald - Riata Technologies
• Bill Gump - Staubach
• Will Eckert - Eckert Insurance Group
• Jim Barringer - Barringer Legal Copies
• Sid Fiegel - JPM Carpets
• Brad Urry - Promo Resources
• Bill Breed - Megabyte Express
• Carol Tremayne - Corporate Care