John Pfefferkorn, Public Relations Chairperson for New Egypt Relay for Life
To the editor:
Statistics can be a big motivator. Would you bet your paycheck on flipping a penny’s heads or tails odds? The chances are 50-50. Well, if you are a male living in the US, those are your odds of getting cancer in your lifetime. For females, it’s 1 in 3.
If your boss told you that there was a 50-50 chance of your job being terminated in the next six months, would you be the first out the door each night? Would you be working your hardest to showcase your talent over those around you? Or would you just roll with the inevitable odds? Hey, don’t fret, I was just like you until a few years ago it became personal and someone in my extended family died from cancer.
But now let’s make it personal for you! If your kids knew your odds of getting cancer were 50 percent, do you think they would want you to get involved? If you knew your kids lives would be better because of your efforts to help find a cure, would it motivate you?
Well, everyone in my immediate family is involved in some way. And we do that though our family’s efforts supporting the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life.
If you think it’s a race, it’s not! It’s a public event where neighbors, friends, or family members make an outward commitment to make one consolidated statement, “We will fight to eliminate cancer in our lifetime”. That’s it. Those words and the associated actions are our motivation.
If your reason for not getting involved is the economy, maybe the 50-50 odds will change you mind. Remember, there are no required amounts of volunteer time or donation you need to make. It’s all voluntary, you do what you can.
Many teams have started working towards raising funds and awareness about ACS. With our annual local event being held this year in New Egypt on May 30 and 31, we invite you to get involved. Your contact is Anita Pfefferkorn or Jack Trotta at [email protected].
The life you help save may be your own.

