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NFM Relay For Life raises more than $20,000 for American Society Society

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ANDREA GALABINSKI Survivor Becky MacKensie said getting the word out about all the American Cancer Society supports is important to her.
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Carol Warrell of the American Cancer Society calls herself “The Road To Recovery Driver.”

The total at press time is $20,300 and more money is still coming in.

The recent North Fort Myers Relay For Life raised the funds with an 18-hour event held at J. Colin English for the American Cancer Society, a great success according to both local organizers and American Cancer Society officials.

“The event was everything I hoped it would be,” said J. Colin English teacher and organizer Suzanne Roberts. “We raised more money and had more participation and provided people affected by cancer with a touching, heartfelt healing experience.”

Her co-chair was Shanell Moneghan and Stacy Pappas was the team development chair, all from J. Colin English Elementary.

This year’s honorary survivor was 4-year-old Cali Russell.

Another survivor who attended the event was Becky MacKensie, a Cape Coral resident and employee at North Fort Myers Goodwill headquarters.

At 30 years old, MacKensie looks healthy, tan and has done a triathlon and half-marathon and plans on doing a full marathon event in Miami soon. She suffers from a genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia, a rare inherited disease, something chemotherapy cannot control. “Chemo isn’t effective for me, we keep it under control with surgery. The American Cancer Society helps get me flights to hospitals, and it is nice for me to get the word about the organization out locally.”

“Coming out of the event, we have amazing momentum going into next year,” said Moe Taylor, community representative for the American Cancer Society. “With every team that camped out already signed up to return, it sends us into next year ready to build off this year’s successes.”

Teams included Group Therapy, Mamma Mia, Mariner Middle, JCE2 (J. Colin English Elementary), Heroes of the Knight (North Fort Myers High), Chamber Around the World, Bethany Lutheran Church, Orange River Elementary, Team Victory – Island Coast High school, With All My Heart and Shear Power.

“It’s never too early to sign up for next year, and I hope those who were unable to participate this year will come out in full force for 2012,” Taylor said.

“Even though we just completed this years’ Relay For Life, planning for next year has already begun. I look forward to more survivors, more of the community joining us, and more business participation for the 2012 Relay For Life of North Fort Myers.”

For information on the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life, call 936-1113.