Anna Harper Gowan and Mayor Marks who tied a purple ribbon to the dogwood tree in memory of his brother Jimmy Marks, who died at age 24 from colon cancer, and in memory of his sister-in-law Janet Marks, who died at age 36 from breast cancer
ATHENS-A young dogwood tree on The Square may shed its white blossoms soon, but those blooms will soon be replaced with purple ribbons.
Limestone County Relay for Life organizers have chosen the young dogwood tree on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse to serve as a memorial tree. County Relay Committee member Anna Harper Gowan said a ceremony will be held Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. so the community can tie purple ribbons to its branches to honor those who have or are currently battling cancer.
The event will be one of several held the week of April 19-25 for Paint the Town Purple Week. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks has signed a proclamation declaring that week as Paint the Town Purple Week to encourage citizens to support Relay for Life efforts in the fight against cancer and to raise awareness about treatments and prevention.
“I doubt you can find one person in our community who has not been impacted by cancer in some way,” Marks said. “We all know someone, a family member, a friend, or a co-worker who has battled cancer.”
During the proclamation signing, Marks tied a purple ribbon on the dogwood tree in memory of his brother, Jimmy Marks, who died from colon cancer at age 24, and in memory of his sister-in-law Janet Marks, who died from breast cancer at age 36.
In addition to the memorial tree honoring those who have or are battling cancer, Gowan wants the dogwood to be a symbol of victory.
“We want the tree to also honor those who have won their battle against cancer,” Gowan said.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative cancer survival rates for various cancers have improved since 1975. For example, between 1975-77 the five-year relative cancer survival rate for various types of cancer was 49 percent. That rate for 2004-2010 was 68 percent.
Mayor Ronnie Marks
For those same time frames, the five-year relative cancer survival rate for breast cancer has gone from 75 percent to 91 percent. For colon cancer, the rate has gone from 51 percent to 65 percent.
“Dying at 24 and dying at age 36, that is far too young,” Marks said. “I’m proud of our City of Athens Relay for Life Team and all the teams from Limestone County for their commitment to this cause and the work they do to give back to our citizens.”
During Paint the Town Purple Week, citizens throughout Athens and Limestone County 
can send their “Purple Pix” to Communications Specialist and City Team Captain Holly Hollman by email at hhollman@athensal.us for use on the city’s social media sites. These photos can be group pictures of participants dressed in purple, or purple decorations at an office, school, church or home.
“Be creative in how you show you’re passion for purple,” Hollman said. “In year’s past we’ve had pictures ranging from men in purple tutus to crosses decorated in purple flowers.”
The Limestone County Relay for Life Committee has the following list of events for Paint the Town Purple Week:
● Monday, April 20, Survivor Dinner, First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 6 p.m. RSVP at gina.bitetti@cancer.org
● Tuesday, April 21, Purple Day all day and Memorial Ribbon Tree Ceremony, 7 p.m., small dogwood on east side of Limestone County Courthouse. Come out and tie a purple ribbon in memory or honor of a loved one who has or is battling cancer or to celebrate someone’s victory over cancer.
● Thursday, April 23, T &C Stamping Golf Tournament at Canebrake. Call 256-233-7383 for more information.
● Friday, April 24, Paint Party, Holiday Inn Express, 7 p.m., cost is $30. Please contact Ina Holland at 256-777-5396 or by email at ina4relay@gmail.com.
Anna Harper Gowan, a member of the Limestone County Relay for Life Committee, and Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks who has signed a proclamation naming April 19-25 as Paint the Town Purple Week in Athens
The Limestone County Relay for Life night will be held Friday, May 1, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the Athens Sportsplex on U.S. 31. Teams from Limestone County will celebrate the recent campaign year, honor survivors, remember loved ones, and fundraise by selling food, crafts and other items. There are at least 28 teams from Limestone County. Teams will walk the track until 7 a.m. on Saturday.
2015 Paint the Town Purple Proclamation
WHEREAS, in 2015, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, there will be an estimated 26,150 new cases of selected cancers in Alabama for 2015, according to the American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, there will be an estimated 10,560 deaths for selected cancers in Alabama for 2015, according to the American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society has fought to find cures for all forms of cancer and provide information on prevention and treatment; and
WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society has funded $4 billion in cancer research since its founding in 1946; and
WHEREAS, Relay for Life encourages individuals, businesses, and community groups to work on fundraising for the American Cancer Society in Athens and Limestone; and
WHEREAS, money raised during last year’s Relay for Life campaign in Athens and Limestone County provided local cancer patients with wigs, scarves, support programs, and transportation and lodging assistance for out-of-area treatment ; and
WHEREAS, our communities in Athens and Limestone County are impacted daily when our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers are diagnosed with cancer; and
WHEREAS, the City of Athens has supported Relay for Life for the past 17 years by allowing employees to volunteer on a citywide team to raise money for the American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 countywide theme is “We Will Build This City On Strength And Hope” and several activities are planned to promote awareness and fundraising;
Now, therefore, I, William R. “Ronnie” Marks, Mayor of Athens, do hereby proclaim the April 19-25 as Paint the Town Purple Week in the City of Athens, Alabama, and urge all citizens to participate in Relay activities, educate themselves about cancer prevention and treatments, and support finding a cure.
