From the minute Florida State Representative Joseph Gibbons took the microphone to open the Relay for Life Kick Off event on November 7, the crowd quieted down and gave their full attention to all of the speakers. Everyone was ready to hear the stories of successful cancer survivors, caregivers and how to form teams for Relay for Life on April 20, 2013 in Heritage Park.
Heather Rohan, CEO of host sponsor, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, greeted the crowd and recognized the VIPs in attendance. The microphone was then turned over to Gale Goldstein Tucker, Relay for Life Event Chair who introduced her co-chairs, and American Cancer Society representatives. She thanked them for their tireless efforts on behalf of this Relay and gave a brief explanation of what Relay for Life is all about.
Rotem Adar, Survivor Chair, briefly described her own experience as a breast cancer patient and survivor and then introduced Richard Levin, M.D., Kevin Payne, D.D.S. and, in absentia, Benny Rub, M.D. Each physician introduced their patients, all of whom were of various ages and all of whom are alive today because of the excellent medical care they have been given. Everyone agreed that cancer treatment has come a long way from the time the word “cancer” was whispered. The American Cancer Society has contributed to these amazing outcomes with the research it funds on an ongoing basis.
Linda Kaplan, M.D., Mission Education Chair and a coordinator of the program, who also filled in for Dr. Rub, read the American Cancer Society’s mission statement with great passion. Max Fleischer was also introduced; he is Team Development Chair and a great devotee of this program. To form a team or get involved, contact Max at max@sendingoutstandingcards.com. For additional information, contact Gale Goldstein Tucker at galegtucker@gmail.com or Wendy Viciana at wendy.viciana@cancer.org.
Relay for Life is a national event that honors those who survived cancer and remembers those who were lost. Its biggest impact is to raise awareness about staying healthy and fund the research which will put cancer to an end. The committee is looking to expand and include more participants so please get involved by visiting www.relayforlife.org/aventurafl.
By Gale Tucker
