Relay For Life earns top award from Nederland Chamber
Published 6:18 pm Wednesday, January 17, 2018
- Paul Baker, event chair for Jefferson County Relay For Life, receives the Service Organization of the Year Award from Diana LaBorde, executive director of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, during the chamber’s annual banquet recently. Courtesy photo
NEDERLAND — Jefferson County Relay For Life has earned a new distinction as the 2018 Service Organization of the Year as named by the Nederland Chamber of Commerce.
“We never expected anything like this from any of our chambers,” Rene Doise with the American Cancer Society, said, adding that as far as she knows, no other chamber of commerce has recognized the organization in this way. “Nederland Chamber stands behind us 100 percent and we cannot be more blessed.”
Relay For Life, a community based fundraising cancer walk of the ACS, has been in the area for more than 20 years. The south Jefferson County event is ranked No. 2 in the nation in money raised in 2017 and No. 1 in the state of Texas for two years in a row.
“The Jefferson County Relay for Life group works tirelessly year round to raise money to help cancer patients, survivors and their families. The springtime Relay for Life event has grown to such proportions that, in the last two years, it has raised $1.2 million dollars right here in mid and south county,” Diana LaBorde, executive director of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, said.
“These are mostly volunteers. If you have never attended one of the Mid County Relay For Life events, it is the most inspirational, awe-inspiring day (and night) that you could ever imagine. Cancer affects so many people we know regardless of age, sex or ethnicity. These ‘cancer warriors’ are a blessing to our community. We are so proud to call them our Nederland Service Organization of the Year.”
The annual fund-raising event had been held at Nederland High School’s Bulldog Stadium for a number of years then moved to Boston Avenue. Last year, due to inclement weather, the local group joined with Beaumont. Now the event is a combined, countywide effort.
Funds from the walk go toward the ACS and provide assistance for those with cancer that extends from free rides to treatment or a place to stay while undergoing treatment, breast cancer support, help with hair loss and mastectomy products and other needed assistance. During Tropical Storm Harvey, ACS helped clients find transportation to treatments and more, Doise said.
The 2018 Relay For Life walk will be held April 28 on Boston Avenue.
