The Holliston Newcomers Club

Civic Activities

It is impossible to live in a close-knit community like Holliston, and not be personally touched by cancer as we hear of the many families who are fighting this disease. The Holliston Newcomers Club has decided to take a stand in the fight against cancer, by forming a Relay for Life® Team. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life® is a crazy, fun, inspiring, and life-affirming event during which relay teams join with the goal of keeping one team member on the track at all times. Cancer never rests…and for 24 hours, neither will we, as we strive to fight back against this disease.

Our team will be walking in honor of three very special people in Holliston who are fighting cancer right now and in memory of a woman who recently lost her battle with breast cancer.

The Ashland Relay, in which we will participate, will begin at noon on Saturday, June 7, and continue through to Sunday, June 8. The Relay begins with a Survivor Lap, and there will be music and fun activities for the whole family during the entire Relay. There will be a beautiful Luminaria ceremony at 9:00 p.m., during which candles will be lit in memory of lost loved ones, and in honor of those currently battling the disease. Cancer survivors and caregivers are encouraged to participate in the Relay’s opening lap and in the many other survivor celebration activities that will be going on throughout the day.

We are asking you to support us by either making a donation to our team or – better yet – by joining our team. By participating, you have the power to continue the American Cancer Society's progress toward a future in which cancer doesn't take the lives of our friends and family. For more information about Relay for Life® , please go to: http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/about.

To make an online donation, please visit our team website at: http://main.acsevents.org/rflmaashlandholliston. Click on Donate to a Team and search for Holliston Newcomers. For every $10 donation you are eligible to receive a luminaria bag that will be lit in memory or honor of someone of your choosing. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our team and would like to learn more about what is required of each team member, please contact Michelle.

Cancer Prevention Study-3
THIS YEAR ONLY…The American Cancer Society is inviting men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have no personal history of cancer to join a historic research study. The purpose of CPS-3 is to better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations.

CPS-3 is a grassroots effort where local communities from across the country can support cancer research not just through fundraising efforts like Relay For Life, but also by participating actively in this historic research study. You do not need to be a Relay participant in order to enroll in CPS-3.

Enrollment logistics:
Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Ashland Middle School, 87 West Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721

Eligibility:
* Men and women between 30 and 65 years old
* No personal history of cancer (this does not include basal or squamous cell skin cancer)
* Willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which simply involves completing periodic follow-up questionnaires

During enrollment at Relay, participants will be asked to:
* Read and sign an informed consent form.
* Complete a brief survey regarding health and lifestyle information.
* Have their waist measured.
* Give a sample of blood.
This enrollment process should take about 30 minutes.

Join us or make a donation to our team and help us support the fight against cancer! Cancer affects millions of people across the globe and many people right here in our hometown. By joining our team or making a donation, you will be a
part of Relay For Life® to celebrate survivors, remember the people we've lost to cancer, and fight back against this disease.

Please check your newsletter for contact information. Hope to see you there!

If you are interested in this activity and are not a member of newcomers please contact Donna Goyette or Stacy Mastrangelo to learn how to join the organization.