Ferndalians Relay to Fund American Cancer Society

(C. Proxmire, June 10, 2013)

The American Cancer Society hosts Relay for Life Events across the country to raise money to support cancer patients and to raise awareness about the pandemic. Folks in Ferndale raised over $48,000 at the local Relay for Life on June 8.

The event took place at Ferndale High School and involved over 200 participants making laps around the track and collecting pledges. The event lasts 24 hours and is full of fun side events as well as somber ones recognizing loved ones lost to cancer, honoring caregivers, and celebrating survivors.

The Voss family was among the participants. Heather Coleman-Voss walked as part of the “Ferndale Career Center Team Hope.” She also took pictures of the event for Ferndale 115. “It’s incredible to see so many people invest their personal time, talents and money in such an important cause – it’s a fantastic experience. Much appreciation goes to the Ferndale Relay for Life Committee – their job is extensive and the results are amazing every single year,” she said.

Her husband Paul Voss is a guitar player for The Saints of Soul. The band volunteered to play at Relay for Life, to help walkers keep their spirits up through the day.

“For me, the biggest reason I do this is to honor my Papa, William Meyer, whom my family lost to cancer many years ago. But every member of the band has been touched in some form or another by this terrible disease, which is why we’ve played the Ferndale Relay for Life for the past three years,” he said. “We especially do this to support the supporters – the ones that donate their time to this all year, not just one day in June. If The Saints of Soul can help them by making the laps around the football field a bit more fun for everyone walking the Relay, then we feel great about that. We want everyone to dance on the track for an hour and celebrate life.”