The 2017 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Matthews-Mint Hill is planning to raise funds for cancer at Independence High School on Friday May 19th, starting at 5:00 pm through 12:00 midnight.  The cancer walk will take place on the school’s campus at the Patriot football stadium track and field complex.

Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  The organization is entirely staffed and coordinated by volunteers.  These volunteers are located in more than 5,200 communities and are operating in 27 countries around the world.

The numbers are staggering: one in three women and one in two men in the United States alone will be diagnosed with a form of cancer in their lifetime.  One of those folks could be you or someone in your family.  Therefore, when you join a Relay for Life event, you are assisting the American Cancer Society to fund new groundbreaking research, critical patient care programs, including education and prevention initiatives.  The fundraiser and overall effort is about saving lives.

Locally, The Hill Bar & Grille, with Compleat Rehab and Sports Therapy, are partnering in the event for the Mint Hill community.  Their goal is to raise a minimum of $2000.00 up to $10,000 for this worthwhile fundraiser.  These two independent business establishments in our local downtown area are interested in community outreach, and want to give back to the community while raising money for a great cause.  Therefore, they are reaching out to the local Mint Hill community for citizen support.

On Wednesday April 26th, if you present a coupon provided by The Hill to your hostess, The Hill owner David Andrews will donate $5.00 to Relay for Life for each coupon received.  Therefore, please stop by for lunch or dinner and enjoy a good meal while making a contribution to save lives.  Also, please contact Compleat Rehab and Sports Therapy regarding donations through their participation in the event.  They are planning to offer complimentary dry needling sessions to help raise funds.  At the event they plan to have a table with free goody bars, and their physical therapists will offer free consults to the walkers. The company has six teams participating in the Mint Hill Relay event in May at Independence High School.

There will also be a challenge between the Mayor of Mint Hill and the Matthews Mayor.  The high schools in the Matthews-Mint Hill area will be raising funds, and the school who raises the most funds will host next year’s fundraiser in 2018.  If you arrive early, please plan on remaining at the stadium because at sundown there will be a luminary candlelight ceremony, which is always a moving experience during the charitable event.

Please put this date down on your calendar: Friday May 19, and let’s have a great and enthusiastic turnout for a really fabulous cause, which could potentially impact families, friends, and individuals in our local community.

For more information about the Relay for Life fundraiser at Independence, please go to their website at www.RelayForLife.org/MMHNC.