The Bladen County Relay For Life will hold its kick-off event tonight (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. in the Christian Activity Center at Elizabethtown Baptist Church.

The Kick-Off is the event that officially marks the beginning of Relay season in Bladen County and has traditionally brought together the returning and prospective team captains, Relay Committee members, corporate sponsors and cancer survivors.

"It's a time we reflect on successes of the past and the challenges of the future," said Devonna Beard, event chairperson. "We look forward to this Relay being the best ever, and we believe a good kick-off event will go a long way toward getting us up and running."

The keynote speaker for the event will be Bladen County Hospital Chief Executive Officer David Masterson.

Masterson, who at the time was Administrative Liaison to the Department of Pediatrics at Greenville Memorial Hospital, was instrumental in developing and implementing a program for pediatric cancer patients in Greenville, South Carolina.

Called Camp Courage, the program provided a summer camp experience for pediatric cancer patients in the Greenville area.

Masterson became CEO at Bladen County Hospital on July 1, replacing former CEO Leo Petit who retired on August 31.

American Cancer Society officials, in a statement to volunteers, said that the past two years have been challenging as well as inspiring for fundraising efforts.

"Despite economic, political and national security challenges, we continue to experience the charity of the American public," the statement reads. "We are impressed by the generosity of the American people and their willingness to dig deeper to support important causes such as ours.

"Out mission to save lives from cancer persists with determination and efficient use of resources. We remain committed to initiatives in research, education, advocacy and service in direct pursuit of our lifesaving goal."

In addition to the other activities at the kick-off event, awards will be presented for various endeavors from the 2003 Relay For Life campaign.

The Bladen County Relay For Life is scheduled for May 7 - 8 at the Elizabethtown Middle School (old East Bladen High School) on U.S. Highway 701 South.

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