POMEROY — To most people, birthdays are just a reminder that they’re getting older but to the American Cancer Society, “Happy Birthday” is a victory song, because a world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays.

The ACS defines a cancer survivor as anyone who has heard these words “You have cancer.” More than 11 million Americans who have survived cancer — and countless others who have avoided it — will celebrate a birthday this year, thanks to the progress we’re making together to help people stay well, get well, to find cures and fight back.

Recently at the Mulberry Community Center, approximately 70 Meigs County cancer survivors were honored with a birthday celebration during the Fourth Annual Meigs County Cancer Survivor Dinner/2010 Meigs County Relay for Life (RFL) Kick-off. The total attendance with guests equaled 130. The event was planned by the ACS’ Meigs RFL Planning Committee, Advisory Board and Survivorship Taskforce and was co-sponsored by the ACS, Meigs County Cancer Initiative and several other local businesses and organizations.

The keynote speaker was local breast cancer survivor Kim Thompson of Food for Thought Market. Thompson spoke about holistic healing and alternative therapies and encouraged cancer survivors to be “cancer thrivers.” The meal was catered and served by God’s NET volunteers and guests enjoyed several musical selections performed by Tammy Matson and Sharon Hawley. Numerous door prizes were also awarded with local cancer survivor and auctioneer Dan Smith selling two hand-made afghans donated by Ruth Smith of Racine to Howard Ervin and Gloria Kloes with proceeds to benefit upcoming survivor activities. Informational booths were manned by ACS Patient Navigator Kim Painter (who serves 10 counties including Meigs County), and Norma Torres, Coordinator of MCCI’s Think Pink Program.

Bob Roy and Stella Kent were crowed King and Queen of the 2010 Meigs RFL. Attendees were invited to RFL on June 12-13 at the Meigs County Fairgrounds beginning at noon on June 12. The ACS RFL represents the hope that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Relay empowers cancer survivors (regardless of their cancer site) and all those who participate to battle cancer in their own backyard. Relay reassures cancer survivors by providing a spirit of togetherness and instills knowledge that survivors/patients are not alone in their fight.

RFL Co-Chair Courtney Sim noted: “The Meigs County Cancer Survivor Dinner has continued to grow since its inception. This is a testament to the success of our local fight against cancer and our support for the ACS. Our survivors are our reason to Relay. We plan to continue to offer the survivor dinner for years to come.”