Johns Creek plans first Relay for Life

Bev Miller wondered why Johns Creek didn't have its own Relay for Life event. Her civic experiences and position on City Council should have made her realize what she was getting into when she asked Ron Redner, a Roswell Rotarian and organizer for that city's Relay for Life. But now that she has spent about a year helping organize Johns Creek's first event, she has no regrets.

Relay for Life Johns Creek will be held overnight Friday, April 17 at Taylor Road Middle School.

"It probably all started about a year ago when I realized we didn't have a Relay for Life in Johns Creek," Miller said.

That's when spoke to Redner and he suggested she start it.

"He planted the seed and we started talking about it," she said.

Miller has had no problems getting cooperation.

"Everybody that I asked was just so willing to help and say, 'Tell me what you need from me and I'll do it,'" she said.

The Fulton County Schools system and churches have helped. Taylor Road Middle School will host the event April 17.

Scott Gentry of Georgia Power, her co-chair, has experience with Relay for Life. When she first got started with the organization, she asked why don't they just all write checks rather than staying up all night to walk. Gentry took her to the Alpharetta Relay for Life, which answered her question.

"Once I saw it, I said, 'Oh my gosh, we have to do this,'" Miller said.

The sense of community that brought everyone together convinced her to put the pen and checkbook away, and get to work.

Miller said the Johns Creek group is starting out small, hoping for 40 teams and between 200 and 250 cancer survivors to join the walk. She estimates 750 people will walk, but the committee is planning for 1,000.

"The response from the community has been just great.

The Relay for Life committee has gotten plenty of help from Michelle Meyer, their coordinator with the American Cancer Society. Meyer has worked with Relay for Life events at Rockdale and at colleges, bringing more experience to the team.

Organizers of Johns Creek's own Relay for Life plan a kickoff celebration Thursday, Jan. 15 at Rivermont Country Club. The event is an opportunity to learn more about Relay for Life Johns Creek, and how it helps fund the American Cancer Society's research efforts. The committee, survivors and their caregivers, and representatives of any teams that have registered are invited.

The Jan. 15 kickoff will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and includes complimentary hor d'oeuvres and a cash bar. RSVP to michelle.meyer@cancer.org with your name and e-mail address.

"I think we just need to raise awareness of cancer. Everybody has been touched by it in some way. Everybody has a story – theyknew someboyd, or know somebody, or they have it in their family," Miller said.

Tim Young of Village Market, who is a cancer survivor, will be one of the kickoff speakers.

Macy's IT of Johns Creek will handle entertainment. CH2M Hill will take care of logistics. Emory Johns Creek is the presenting sponsor and plans to field three teams.

Committee members are checking with all of the companies in Johns Creek to find sponsors and volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help run the event while the teams walk. Or the companies might want to have their own teams.

"We want you there all night. The idea is doing it all night, because cancer never sleeps," she said.
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