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In 2006, Jim and Chris White visited their first Relay For Life event in Medford, NJ with a few family members. A neighbor had told them that she donated a Luminaria in honor of Jim, and they wanted to see it. Chris recalled, “It was raining that night so we had to go inside the high school to see the Luminaria bags. Even though they weren’t lit, it was quite a moving experience to see Jim honored that way.” Just three years later, Jim and Chris are part of the first Relay For Life team in New York or New Jersey to raise $100,000.
Before leaving that rainy Relay, they talked with Debbie Cooney, the chairperson at the time. Debbie gave Jim a survivor t-shirt, and later contacted them, encouraging them to get involved. The next year, Jim’s cousin Kathleen Carp decided to start team Fight Cancer in honor of Jim, in memory of her father who died from colon cancer, and to try to make a difference in the lives of others affected by cancer.
That first year, the team members worked diligently at email and letter-writing campaigns. One of their team members, Tammy Herbert, hosted a Wax and Wine at her home where people could enjoy some snacks, a glass of wine and have their eyebrows waxed for a donation to Relay For Life. The team has also found success with fundraising dinners – they are a great way for people to have a good time and help a great cause – as well as selling handmade handbags and jewelry. Chris advises, “The key is to spend as little money as possible, get as much merchandise donated as possible and have fun with it.” Jim also participates in the Relay Queen contest where he has been the reigning “Queen” for three years running.
Team Fight Cancer has grown so large that there are now three sub-teams: Fight Cancer 1, Fight Cancer 2, and Fight Cancer Juniors. The teams are made up of family and friends, and a number of their team members have young children that enjoy being involved. Chris shared, “They have always had a lemonade stand the day of Relay and enjoy walking the track. This year they wanted a team of their own.” Chris and Jim know they have a great support system in their family and friends. Chris said, “All you have to do is ask, show them how passionate you are with your involvement, and they want to be a part of it too. We have all been touched by cancer in some way and everyone wants to do their part to eliminate this awful disease.” They have even recruited a few team members through their fundraising dinners. Guests have such a good time, they want to become a part of team Fight Cancer.
Relay For Life is truly important to Chris and Jim. Chris shared, “It helps you to feel like you’re doing something to help all those with cancer. There is nothing we can do to change the fact that our loved one already has cancer, but we’re hoping to make a difference for future generations in the hopes they never have to hear the words ‘you have cancer.’ We chose Relay For Life because it helps all types of cancer, because we know people with all types of cancer.”
So, how did team Fight Cancer raise $100,000 this year? It all started with Jim’s connections to real estate offices through his work in termite inspections and proofing. Chris wrote a letter for Jim to use, letting people know about the Relay For Life and their team, Fight Cancer. The day before Relay, Chris and Jim were at the Relay For Life site, starting to set things up, when Jim received a call from one of the agents. She had read the letter, and was sorry she had not contributed to Jim’s team. She told Jim that she would make a donation, and just had to check with her attorney on the amount. About a month later, Jim heard from the agent again. Chris recalled, “She wanted to know how we did at the Relay and more importantly how Jim was feeling. Jim explained how we reached our goal of $50,000 and after a little back and forth – and some confusion – she said she was willing to match the dollar amount our team had made: $50,000!” A week later Jim picked up the check and while visiting with the agent and her husband, he learned that she had received a large inheritance and wanted to pay it forward. Having known Jim for many years and his story, she chose to help the American Cancer Society.
The Fight Cancer teams will continue to participate in the Relay For Life of Medford and will continue setting amazing goals for their fundraising. Chris said, “Our plans for next year are to stick with what works for us. We will be having our dinner again, the Wax and Wine events, and we just try to have fun at Relay. It isn’t about being number one; it’s about doing our part, making a difference and having a good time along the way.”
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