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THS Relay team comes together to raise $15k for annual event
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I am writing this morning because I am so very proud of the Relay for Life Club students at Turlock High School. This is the 10th year that THS has had a student team participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event and the largest non-for-profit fundraiser in the world.

 THS’ club has over 150 active members made up of all four classes. We have met during lunch every other week since last September and the students have actively fundraised the entire school year. We sold cookie dough, set up a “No-Shave November” campaign, held a drive-through dinner, held a softball game and homerun derby, collected coins, sold business card ads and event sponsorships, sold sweatshirts and students have asked for donations from friends, family members and neighbors. We even have younger siblings holding dime and penny drives as a part of our “Bullpups” team.

 Last summer, the leaders at the American Cancer Society asked THS to partner up with the students at CSU Stanislaus to hold an all college/high school student event. Aside from holding our own meetings, a select group of THS students have also held event committee positions and have met monthly to collaborate with the college students.

ACS set an event goal of $13,000. THS set a team goal of $15,000. We passed our team goal last week, and by the end of this week should hit the $20,000 mark! $20,000 is pretty unheard of out of a group of teens! Turlock High School has definitely set the standard when it comes to raising money in our area.

Our group is made up of students from all social/economic backgrounds, races, ages, interests, but what we all have in common is a connection to cancer. Our team motto is “Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate and Neither Do We.” At each meeting, we have discussed cancer statistics, ways to prevent cancer, healthy lifestyles and every possible way the American Cancer Society can help cancer victims and their families.

 Our team will be out at CSU Stanislaus this Saturday and Sunday (April 5-6) for 24 hours walking because cancer never sleeps and neither do we! I am hoping that you will consider coming out on Saturday to witness these awesome kids.

— Kristin Bettencourt

THS Relay For Life Club Advisor