The American Cancer Society, Albany Division, kicks off the 2016 Relay for Life event with the announcement of it’s Presenting Sponsor,  Renasant Bank. Renasant Bank has committed a gracious donation of $10,000 and challenges other business leaders in Dougherty and Lee Counties to support the local Relay for Life event as well.

Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research since the first Relay was conducted in 1985. Through Relay for Life, events are held in more than 6,000 communities nationwide and around the globe. Relay For Life unites people to celebrate the lives of those who have faced cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

Relay For Life events are community gatherings where teams and individuals camp out at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path throughout the night, as a sign of solidarity with those who have had to endure the battle against cancer. Participating teams raise money in the weeks and months prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life – all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives.

As the Presenting corporate sponsor, Renasant Bank has joined a growing list of companies nationwide that have pledged support for this important project. Renasant Bank’s Albany Area Market President, Jimmy Wilson, commented on the announcement, “It is a privilege to participate in this year’s Relay for Life event as the Presenting Sponsor level. However, every donation helps. I encourage all of our community businesses to join in the cause and help the American Cancer Society accomplish its mission of saving lives.”

“Our corporate sponsors allow us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back,” said Elyse Bower, Relay For Life Community Manager for the American Cancer Society. “Due to the generosity of sponsors like Renansant Bank, we are able to offset the expenses of the event so more of the donations we receive can fund the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving programs as well as free services for cancer patients here in our local community.”