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When volunteer teams hit the track for the Relay for Life later this month to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS), two very special Lithia Springs Elementary School students will be leading the pack. Zachary Tucker and Sydney Sims, who are both currently undergoing treatment for cancer, have been chosen as the event's honorary survivor chairs and will be the first walkers in the overnight fundraiser.
According to ACS community representative Bethany Elliott, both Zach and Sydney have inspirational stories about their fights with cancer that ACS representatives felt deserved sharing.
"The honorary chairs are chosen by the volunteer committee as a face for the survivors in the community," says Elliott. "They are an inspiration for other survivors and a motivation for volunteers."
Sydney, who is nine years old, was diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma in January, 2004 and for the last two years she has regularly visited the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York for treatment.
But Sydney has not taken the hand she was dealt sitting down. To raise money for her treatments and to help her family, along with her mother, Michelle, Sydney makes jewelry, known as Sydlets. Made with Swarovski crystal beads, glass beads and complimented with a sterling silver awareness ribbon, all proceeds and donations will go to the Sydney Sims Family Fund. For more information on the jewelry, visit www.sydlets.com.
Eight-year-old Zach was diagnosed with a brain tumor two days before his birthday last July. After treatment in Indiana, North Carolina and at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Zach is now home and back at school at Lithia Springs where he recently attended the school's Fun Day.
"He has always been an athletic and competitive kid and has carried those characteristics over into this battle," says Zach's mom, Sherry. "He is such a fighter and we are really proud of how brave he has been."
Although many teams have already signed up for the event, which is taking place at Newsome High School starting at 6 p.m. on Friday March 31 and continuing until Noon the next day, according to committee member Stacey Hirn, there are still spaces available.
"Teams usually consist of 10-15 participants from families, churches, schools, businesses or other organizations and they take turns to walk or run around the track," says Hirn. "When they are not walking, there are fun events to participate in in the center of the track."
For more information on the event or to sign-up a team, visit www.acsevents.org or call Elliott at 685-0670 ext. 118.
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