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Relay for Life offers uplifting event in community By BRADLEY HARTSELL bradley@newnan.com
Relay for Life not only raises awareness with each event, but honors those who are currently battling cancer and remembers those who have lost the battle. Stephanie Martin, a breast cancer nurse at Piedmont Newnan Hospital, wants the community to know that relay events are not somber affairs. According to Martin, this assumption is a common misconception. As a Relay for Life organizer, Martin is involved in planning the event to be a memorable celebration that all in attendance can enjoy. “Relay for Life is really a carnival environment - it’s fun,” Martin said. “Someone might say to me, ‘I don’t want to be sad because it’s about cancer,’ and I say, ‘Are you kidding? People and kids are running around. It’s like the county fair.’” Piedmont Newnan Hospital is hosting the 2015 Relay for Life, which will be held on the Coweta County Fairgrounds from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m. on May 1. The event will include carnival-type entertainment such as fried oreos, face-painting, a magic show and even a life-sized Jenga game. All proceeds from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society. The relay is free and open to the public, including team registration, which has been a cost of $10 per team in the past. To register a group of friends or family as a team, or to donate, visit
www.relayforlife.org/cowetaga. In 2014, Coweta County, which Martin says has one of the biggest Relay for Life events in the state, raised $160,000. Seventy-six teams registered to walk and more than $78,000 was raised before the event had even begun. Martin and other relay organizers believe this year will be just as successful as it has been in the past. “Just by showing up, walking and having a good time, you’re giving to American Cancer Society,” Martin said. “You will likely get your family some food, and your kids will want something crazy on their face or in their hair. “For many, [Relay for Life] is a tradition; they participate every year.” Annually, the local event has more than 3,000 in attendance, with several hundred cancer survivors in the crowds. The survivor dinner is scheduled to begin one hour prior to the relay, at 4:30 p.m. Survivors are welcomed to enjoy dinner at no cost just before the opening ceremony. Immediately following the ceremony, survivors are invited to participate in a survival lap before the relay begins. “It’s emotional. A lot of people are crying and celebrating life. It’s an upbeat, celebration-like environment,” Martin said. “There is a lot to honor in people’s lives.” The planning has taken the better part of a year, according to Martin, who became active in cancer awareness after her husband succumbed to
Jennifer Bentley (left) and Stephanie Moore (right) stand together at the 2013 Relay for Life walk. Bentley and Moore went through chemotherapy together after being diagnosed with breast cancer and quicky became friends.
brain cancer in 2002. Martin says the first meeting was in October and the group of organizers spent the next six months preparing for the event, from the vendors to the event theme – Colors of Hope, which includes every color of the rainbow depicted to represent a type of cancer.
“We have a good group working on this,” Martin said. Relay for Life began in 1985 and soon spread nationwide. Today, there are more than 5,300 events across the country, including Relay for Life in Fayette County on May 15. Most people will be affected by
cancer at some point in their lives, either personally, or through friends and loved ones. Relay for Life events across the country have raised more than $5 billion since the fundraiser’s conception and help cancer survivors, patients and their families and friends. Proceeds also benefit Hope Lodge in Atlanta, where mostly out-oftown patients can stay as they are being treated for cancer. Patients may stay in the lodge for weeks or even months. Finally, the proceeds benefit Look Good, Feel Better, which provides makeovers to women who’ve lost their hair to chemotherapy. According to Martin, small things, such as getting their hair styled, goes a long way toward keeping spirits up. Look Good, Feel Better is set to return to Piedmont Newnan Hospital. “Relay for Life helps everyone, but it also really impacts our community,” said Martin. Schools, churches and public safety officials are getting involved, bolstering the event’s reputation as a collaborative effort. “My daughter is 13, and she started her own team with her best friend. They raised over $2,100 last year. She goes to Lee Middle School, and they approached me and said, ‘Hey, we want to partner with them,’” said Martin of her daughter Gracie, who
RELAY, page 3
Baja Fish Tacos with Watermelon Guacamole • 2 medium avocados, peeled and chopped • 2 tablespoons lime juice • 2 teaspoons diced jalapeno pepper (or to taste) • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced • 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies, drained • 2 1/2 cups diced watermelon, divided • Salt, to taste • Cooking spray • 1 1/2 pounds cod • Chili powder • 12–16 corn tortillas • 3–4 cups commercial coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots) • 1/2–1 cup commercial salsa
PHOTO BY JEFFREY LEO
Cowetan Morgon Gross, 15, took first place worldwide in her age and division in the CrossFit Open.
Coweta teenager a world-class CrossFitter MORGAN GROSS WINNER IN REEBOK CROSSFIT OPEN
By SARAH FAY CAMPBELL
sarah@newnan.com
Coweta teen Morgan Gross is the top scorer in the world in her division in the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Open. Gross outscored thousands of CrossFit girls to become world champion in the 14/15 scaled division of the CrossFit Open. It’s quite an accomplishment – but is even more impressive considering Morgan had never
worked out or played any sport before she began doing CrossFit just over a year ago. The CrossFit Open is the first step in the CrossFit Games. For the Open, Crossfitters around the world perform a specified workout that is released each week for five weeks. A cer tif ied CrossFit judgescores the workout and submits the score.
CROSSFIT, page 3
A fresh way to FIESTA SWEET IDEA FOR A CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION
FAMILY FEATURES Cinco de Mayo is the perfect opportunity to indulge in Mexican-inspired dishes, dips and drinks. This year, put a tangy twist on your festivities with a refreshing new flavor. Watermelon is a versatile fruit with a flavor profile that pairs perfectly with many of the ingredients in traditional Mexican dishes. Sweet and juicy watermelon is a great way to cut
the heat of spicier foods, and its texture lends an unexpected, satisfying crunch in dips such as chunky salsas. Whether you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo themed party or simply looking forward to an inspired meal at home, get an early jump on summer and let watermelon be your star ingredient. For more recipes featuring low-calorie, no-fat watermelon, visit www. watermelon.org.
For guacamole, mash avocados to mix of smooth and chunky in medium bowl. Add lime, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic and chilies and mix thoroughly. Add 1 1/2 cups diced watermelon and salt (if desired) and toss. Cover and refrigerate to let flavors blend. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place cod on sheet and sprinkle with chili powder and salt. Bake for 12–20 minutes (depending on thickness of fish) or until cooked through. Remove from oven and cut into pieces. Heat tortillas on grill or griddle. Top each with few pieces of fish, 1/4 cup coleslaw mix, heaping spoonful of guacamole, tablespoon of salsa and few pieces of remaining diced watermelon.
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