ATHENS-When Daveen Raby Stanford received a cancer diagnosis last year, she responded with grit determination.
“Cancer, you have picked the wrong person this time,” she told the disease.
Stanford now is cancer free but still helping battle the disease. As secretary of the Limestone County Cattlemen’s Association, she is working with the City of Athens Relay for Life Team to host a ribeye steak sandwich fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on March 31 in Athens. The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church. Tickets are $10 each. Members from Cattlemen’s will prepare the steaks on site.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer, I thought about what a tough fight I had ahead of me with 
chemo and/or radiation,” Stanford said. “Little did I know the type cancer I had didn’t respond to either. I am clear of cancer at this time, but there is always the chance it could come back. If it does, I hope researchers have found a way to fight it. Supporting Relay for Life is very important to me. Money raised goes for research, so just maybe it will save my life, or someone who has the same type cancer as I do.”
According to the American Cancer Society’s latest data, in 2015, it spent $151 million on cancer research, $348 million on patient support programs, $123 million on prevention information/education programs and $87 million on detection and treatment.
“Daveen is working with us to get supplies at a good price so we can raise as much as possible from this fundraiser for the American Cancer Society,” said City of Athens Relay for Life Captain
Holly Hollman
Holly Hollman. “We hope to serve about 600 people, and I believe our community will help us reach that goal.”
Hollman said the community already is responding. Friendship United Methodist Church offered to host the event. Athens Rotary is having its weekly luncheon at the event. Athens High School choir director John Malone is bringing 40 talented students to provide inspirational singing, and CDPA is sponsoring them for lunch.
“It motivates us as a team to see farmers, an accounting firm, a church, high school students, community leaders and city employees work together to show cancer that as a community, we are like Daveen. We mean business,” Hollman said. “We will not sit idly by. We will continue the fight.”
Tickets are pre-sale only so organizers can obtain the needed amount of supplies. Tickets are available from Stanford, Hollman, city Relay team members and by calling City Hall at 256-233-8730. The luncheon is dine in or carry out. Relay members will deliver large orders in the Athens area.
The City of Athens Relay for Life Team has other fundraisers underway as well. This year’s countywide theme is “Passport to a Cure.” To coincide with that theme, the City Team is selling T-shirts with the slogan “Light the Journey with Hope.” The purple Comfort Color T-shirts have a lighthouse shining over the world and a star for Athens, Ala., on the globe. Short sleeve shirts are $15 and long sleeve are $20. The team is taking pre-orders through Friday, Feb. 10, and is ordering only a few extra shirts. To pre-order, call Vicky Dowd at 256-233-8730 or email Holly Hollman at hhollman@athensal.us.
The annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament is earlier this year, so save the date for April 8 at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur. More details are coming soon. The City of Athens Relay for Life Celebrity Waiters Night also is in the planning stages.
Relay for Life of Limestone County will host its countywide celebration on May 12 at the Sportsplex. Those interested in participating as a team can contact American Cancer Society Community Manager Cherry Hammonds at 256-221-3926.
City of Athens Relay for Life/Cattlemen’s Ribeye Sandwich Fundraiser Sponsored by CDPA
When: Friday, March 31, 2017
Where: Friendship United Methodist Church
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $10 (includes sandwich, chips and drink)
Get Tickets: Call Athens City Hall at 256-233-8730
Additional Info: Dine in or carry out. Music provided by Athens High School Choir.
