By By MICHAEL C. GUILMETTE JR. / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Even though the annual walk to raise money for cancer research does not take place until July 21, local cancer suvivors and their supporters are already hard at work.
On Tuesday, Relay For Life participants and supporters met at the Niles Inn on South 11th Street to kick off the 2007 campaign.
Shelli Knoll, community representative for the American Cancer Society, said 42 teams took part in last year's relay, raising $133,000. This year, however, she hopes to have at least 50 teams taking part.
Knoll added that Berrien County is a leader in the U.S. for cancer research fundraising, ranking sixth in the nation and pulling in $460,000 in 2006. She said a New Buffalo event is being added this year, which will hopefully push the total above half a million.
Some cancer survivors find themselves particularly motivated to support Relay For Life, including Ralph Vosburgh, Jr., who has survived cancer along with his father and brother.
"It's way too common," Vosburgh said of the prostate cancer that struck him and his father.
Vosburgh, 61, was diagnosed in 1994. Nearly 13 years later, he is now the sponsorship chair for the local chapter, working with businesses to provide corporate donations to the fundraiser.
Knoll said the group is preparing a mentoring program for March 3 to take place at the Berrien County fairgrounds. This event, she said, will be an opportunity for teams to network and share ideas for fundraising.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fairgrounds in Berrien Springs.