Features Editor

When "Celebration on the Hill" takes place in Washington D.C. Sept. 18 and 19, four Pike Countians will be among the 3,000 Relay for Life Community Ambassadors gathered there.

Because of their leadership and commitment to the fight against cancer, Donna Schubert, Lynne Stone, Nedetria Talbot and Mary Ida Williams have been selected as ambassadors from the seven-state Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society.

As ambassadors, they will take part in the "Celebration on the Hill" which will establish the American Cancer Society as "the" political force in the fight against cancer, both in Washington and in communities across the country.

The four Pike County Relay for Life committee members were nominated by Lisa Yarbrough, income development coordinator for the Mid-South Region, because they have demonstrated, over the years, that they care about and are committed to the goals of the American Cancer Society.

"We knew that we were nominated, but we had no idea that any of us would be selected, and we certainly didn’t have any idea all four of us would be chosen," said Donna Schubert, chairperson of the 2002 Relay

for Life campaign. "We are all thrilled and excited to be a part of this nationwide event that is being organized to mobilize people touched by cancer to urge Congress to make cancer a national priority."

Cancer is not only a health issue, it is also political issue, the ambassadors said.

"As Relay for Life Community

Ambassadors, we have made an 18-month commitment to advocacy and pledged to attended two days of training in preparation for the "Celebration on the Hill" activities," Talbot said. "And, of course, participate in the ‘Celebration on the Hill’ in Washington D.C."

In addition to establishing the American Cancer Society as "the" political force in the fight against cancer, the "Celebration on the Hill" will also put a face on and give a voice to the fight against cancer.

"A face to be seen and heard in the halls of Congress, in our state capitols and in the offices of our lawmakers," Stone said. "Everyday, legislators are introducing bills, passing laws and allocating funding that impact cancer patients. The "Celebration on the Hill" event will celebrate survivorship and empower American Cancer Society volunteers to become a political force in the fight against cancer."

The Celebration will also build and mobilize a network of trained, motivated grassroots leaders who will have instant credibility and know, first hand, the importance of the fight.

"The ‘Celebration on the Hill’ will increase the awareness for American Cancer Society and Relay for Life across the country," Williams said. "We are all honored to be a part of this national event and feel very fortunate to have been chosen."