SkyLine and its employees have supported Relay for Life for 20 years, finding creative ways to raise money for cancer research including chicken barbecues, bake sales, prime rib dinners and most recently, an annual pledge campaign.

Thirty years ago, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, faced cancer patients in his office every day. He decided to combine his love of marathon running with an effort to raise funds for his local American Cancer Society chapter. For 24 hours, he circled a track, covering 83 miles and walking the final laps to raise $27,000 in 1985. That singular event led by Dr. Gordon Klatt became the inspiration for Relay for Life. Today the signature fund-raising event for the American Cancer Society takes place in 5,000 communities in all 50 states and in 22 countries, with $4 billion raised to date.

A major focus of Relay for Life is to fund research, but it also promotes education, advocacy and service. While one in three Americans will get cancer in their lifetime, more people are surviving cancer and the rate of cancer incidences is declining thanks to these efforts that have led to greater awareness, early detection, medical breakthroughs and targeted therapies. Communities have come together with the Society’s support to further help local citizens in dealing with the challenges of cancer through programs like “Look Good, Feel Better” and travel assistance for cancer patients to get to and from treatments.

When Relay for Life made its way here 20 years ago, it didn’t take long at all for the company and its employees to get involved. “Mr. Hobie Davis, our General Manager, asked me to attend a meeting at Yadkin Valley Bank to hear about a new program for the American Cancer Society,” said SkyLine PR Administrator Karen Powell.

“At that first meeting, we were shown a compelling video that told the story of Relay and the need for funding continued research.  Mr. Davis supported the idea of sharing the Relay story with employees knowing that several families here have been affected by cancer, and we’ve been actively involved with area Relay events ever since.”

SkyLine Plant Assignment Coordinator Holly Beard organized a team at this year’s Ashe County Relay for Life in honor of her four-year-old daughter Macie, who at three years old, was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumors. Macie has undergone surgery, procedures and radiation and chemotherapy treatments and thankfully, is now in remission.

Employees come together from across the region to walk the track lined with luminaries in honor of survivors and in memory of those lost to cancer.

In support of another national health-related charity, SkyLine has provided the phone bank at the annual Ashe County Heart Auction for many years, and employees field a team for the annual American Heart Walk to fund continued research and programs of the American Heart Association. In recent years, employees have also organized a Health and Wellness Committee that encourages healthy lifestyles, which align with the educational programs of both the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

The number one and two killers of Americans are heart disease and cancer. Employees have rallied in support of their co-workers, family members and neighbors whose lives have been lost or touched by these diseases while raising thousands of dollars annually through these two events.

Collectively, we are joining many others in our communities with a goal that leads to better outcomes, and our hope is for a world with more birthdays, free of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.