'I'm Able to Celebrate More Birthdays'

For Denise Thibault, a two-time cancer survivor and mother of two from Edwardsville, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has made a difference in her life, funding the research that helped catch her cancers in their earliest stages, thereby saving her life.

"I appreciate everything ACS has done," she said. "Because of them, I'm able to celebrate more birthdays, and I can spend more time with my little girls that I possibly would not have been able to do."

One of the ways the ACS of the Metro East raises funds is through its Relay for Life, which is coming up June 27 and 28 in Edwardsville.

Individuals and groups are invited to take part in Relay for Life of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society's work in Madison County, Ill. Each relay team, made up of 12 to 15 volunteers, will walk the Edwardsville High School track for 12 hours, from 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. to symbolize an individual's cancer treatment.

Teams and individuals can register for the event at www.relayforlife.org, call 618-288-2320 or email rfledglen@gmail.com

Even individuals who are not part of a team can attend Relay for Life at any time throughout the evening. There will be musical performances, family-friendly activities and a special Luminaria ceremony to honor those whose lives have been impacted by cancer. In addition, a number of teams will offer food and games during Relay for Life to raise funds for ACS.

In 2013, more than 66,090 Illinois residents were diagnosed with cancer. For these individuals, the ACS provides support groups, lodging and transportation throughout their battles. ACS also has dedicated more than $3.8 billion in its history to fund research for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

_{Photo courtesy of Denise Thibault}