Whitefish Credit Union "Disney Divas" Battle Cancer with Relay For Life
The team is raising money for the American Cancer Society's annual cancer awareness and fundraising event
Whitefish, MT, June 13, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Disney cartoon characters have fought their share of evil villains, but it’s a decidedly more sinister foe they’ll soon take on in the Flathead Valley.
The Whitefish Credit Union “Disney Divas” will join hundreds of others in the area to fight cancer this year at the Relay For Life, June 15 in Whitefish and June 23 in Kalispell. This year’s theme is the magic of relay, which inspired the Credit Union’s team to evoke a little bit of the Magic Kingdom in their Disney-themed costumes.
The event mark’s Whitefish Credit Union’s second year as a team organizer and sponsor of the American Cancer Society’s annual cancer awareness and fundraising event. Each year more than 3.5 million people come together in communities across the country to show support for those who are or have battled cancer, and to remember loved ones lost.
Dianna Giddeon has been with Whitefish Credit Union for 26 years and is no stranger to the disease. She’s fought cancer herself and seen its effects on friends and family.
“I am a 12-year breast cancer survivor and just lost a cousin to pancreatic cancer,” said Giddeon, who has also served as a local Relay For Life team captain for several years. “Last year’s participation from Whitefish Credit Union put the spark back into my relay spirit. This year we have even more participants and everyone seems to have a lot of enthusiasm.”
Relays typically last throughout the night with each team keeping at least one member walking on the track at all times. This is done, according to organizers, because cancer never sleeps, so neither do participating teams. When not walking the track, team members camp out at the event and lend their support to those walking.
Relay for Life is a national organization, but northwest Montana will see many benefits from the event, according to Relay For Life Event Chair Michelle Howke.
“Not only are we raising money for resources for American Cancer Society to help fight cancer, we are also raising money to support the programs that are available right here in the Flathead Valley,” she explained. “For instance American Cancer Society donates to “Look Good… Feel Better,” which provides wigs, wraps and makeup for women going through treatment; Road to Recovery allows cancer patients transportation to and from treatment; we also provide lodging for those who travel long distance for daily treatment and many more programs.”
The Whitefish Relay For Life begins at 6 p.m. at the Whitefish High School track. In Kalispell, the event starts at 5 p.m. on the Flathead High School track.
About Relay for Life:
Relay For Life got its start 27 years ago in May 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt took the first step of his 24-hour walk around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society. To learn more about this event, visit the Relay For Life website at relayforlife.org.
About Whitefish Credit Union:
Whitefish Credit Union is a respected leader in the financial services industry. State chartered in 1934, it has gone on to become the largest credit union in Montana with more than $1 billion in assets. Today, the Whitefish Credit Union manages six branches throughout the state, which serve the financial cooperative’s more than 50,000 members. The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce recently presented Whitefish Credit Union with the Business of the Year Award. This award is given annually to a business that leads by example, contributing to the well-being of the community though job creation, public service, philanthropy and/or volunteerism.
The Whitefish Credit Union “Disney Divas” will join hundreds of others in the area to fight cancer this year at the Relay For Life, June 15 in Whitefish and June 23 in Kalispell. This year’s theme is the magic of relay, which inspired the Credit Union’s team to evoke a little bit of the Magic Kingdom in their Disney-themed costumes.
The event mark’s Whitefish Credit Union’s second year as a team organizer and sponsor of the American Cancer Society’s annual cancer awareness and fundraising event. Each year more than 3.5 million people come together in communities across the country to show support for those who are or have battled cancer, and to remember loved ones lost.
Dianna Giddeon has been with Whitefish Credit Union for 26 years and is no stranger to the disease. She’s fought cancer herself and seen its effects on friends and family.
“I am a 12-year breast cancer survivor and just lost a cousin to pancreatic cancer,” said Giddeon, who has also served as a local Relay For Life team captain for several years. “Last year’s participation from Whitefish Credit Union put the spark back into my relay spirit. This year we have even more participants and everyone seems to have a lot of enthusiasm.”
Relays typically last throughout the night with each team keeping at least one member walking on the track at all times. This is done, according to organizers, because cancer never sleeps, so neither do participating teams. When not walking the track, team members camp out at the event and lend their support to those walking.
Relay for Life is a national organization, but northwest Montana will see many benefits from the event, according to Relay For Life Event Chair Michelle Howke.
“Not only are we raising money for resources for American Cancer Society to help fight cancer, we are also raising money to support the programs that are available right here in the Flathead Valley,” she explained. “For instance American Cancer Society donates to “Look Good… Feel Better,” which provides wigs, wraps and makeup for women going through treatment; Road to Recovery allows cancer patients transportation to and from treatment; we also provide lodging for those who travel long distance for daily treatment and many more programs.”
The Whitefish Relay For Life begins at 6 p.m. at the Whitefish High School track. In Kalispell, the event starts at 5 p.m. on the Flathead High School track.
About Relay for Life:
Relay For Life got its start 27 years ago in May 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt took the first step of his 24-hour walk around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society. To learn more about this event, visit the Relay For Life website at relayforlife.org.
About Whitefish Credit Union:
Whitefish Credit Union is a respected leader in the financial services industry. State chartered in 1934, it has gone on to become the largest credit union in Montana with more than $1 billion in assets. Today, the Whitefish Credit Union manages six branches throughout the state, which serve the financial cooperative’s more than 50,000 members. The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce recently presented Whitefish Credit Union with the Business of the Year Award. This award is given annually to a business that leads by example, contributing to the well-being of the community though job creation, public service, philanthropy and/or volunteerism.
Contact
Whitefish Credit Union
Sue Schenck
(406) 862-3525
www.whitefishcu.com
Sue Schenck
(406) 862-3525
www.whitefishcu.com
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