Teacher, Cancer Survivor: Relay For Life "Helped Me Feel So Alive"

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JOHNS CREEK, GA -- The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of North Fulton will honor cancer survivors and caregivers at its 2016 Relay.

The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. May 14 at Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta.

“Fourteen years ago today was the best day of my life,” said Minah Yacher, special education teacher at Lake Windward Elementary School. “It is 14 years ago today that I officially became cancer free and felt like the word 'survivor' was the best word in the world.”

Relay for Life of North Fulton will honor cancer survivors and caregivers at a Welcome Reception at 4 p.m. the day of Relay. The reception will be followed by Opening Ceremonies, a Survivors Lap and dinner under the Survivors tent.

“When I was just three weeks out of treatment, I attended my first Relay event in Athens and was instantly hooked," Minah said. "The atmosphere helped me feel so alive. I was able to connect with fellow survivors and talk with people still going through treatment. Little did I know that I could possibly help people."

• RELATED: Northside Cancer Institute Steps Up To Sponsor Relay For Life

To register as a survivor for this year’s event, call 877-957-7848 and specify Relay for Life of North Fulton.

“We want all local cancer survivors and caregivers to come to the Survivors Dinner at Relay on May 14,” said Natalie Matthews, survivor lead for the North Fulton Event Leadership Team and a five-year breast cancer survivor. “Being a cancer survivor can be an intensely personal thing, everyone’s experience is different. But we want this community of people to know we are here to celebrate them, as well as caregivers, if they can attend. It’s an amazing experience to see and hear first hand what American Cancer Society donations can do.”

Relay is an open event in which anyone is free to come and go. The North Fulton Event Leadership Team provides a carnival-type atmosphere with live music, games and activities for all ages; food and beverages for purchase to benefit the American Cancer Society, and Relay’s trademark Luminary Lap just after dusk.

Relay For Life is a community-based, volunteer-driven event held annually in towns throughout the world. Teams fundraise over several months in advance of their Relay by reaching out to friends and family for donations and by organizing mini fundraisers.

On May 14, North Fulton teams will set up sites around the Webb Bridge Middle School track and take turns walking or running laps in memory of those they’ve lost to cancer, in honor of those currently in a fight against the disease, and in celebration of survivors.

Internationally, Relay has raised more than $5 billion for cancer research since 1985. Visit the Relay for Life of North Fulton website www.relayforlife.org/northfultonga for more information, or to become involved contact Holly York at holly.york@cancer.org.

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Photo: Minah Yacher, special education teacher at Lake Windward Elementary School. Credit: American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of North Fulton