A deep blue cloudless sky over a sea of Jason’s Beaumont campus families in bright spring-green shirts. This was the setting for the start of Beaumont’s annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on Friday the 13th.
In our fourth year as participants, the 2010 ‘Deli’cious Lifesaverz grew to six teams with nearly 60 runners and walkers who took turns taking laps around the Westbrook High School track until 6 a.m. Saturday morning. “It’s not a competition, except against cancer,” people were told in the opening ceremonies as Jason’s teams and families gathered around our castle camp, in keeping with the Fairy Tale theme.
Beyond uniting the campus, Jason’s ‘Deli’cious Lifesaverz were the #1 fundraisers for the event, collecting nearly $13,000 for ACS’ local cancer support programs.
Stephanie Hunt in IT is a team leader for the Relay, at first with her husband’s team from Paul’s job, then she helped stir up the Beaumont campus into making the R4L our largest volunteer project and cause. Stephanie was just 21 when doctors told her she had cancer and that treatment would leave her unable to have children. Fourteen years later and cancer-free, Stephanie shared her story and smiled down at the baby bump that will be her third child.
Jennifer Blackwell in Benefits (4th from the right) was diagnosed with cancer on May 15, 2009. She went from a R4L organizer to cancer survivor. The relay begins with cancer survivors going around the track in one direction, their caregiver goes the other way, and they meet to cheers from the crowd. As Jennifer began her walk she yelled for the entire Jason’s delegation to walk with her family, “because all of you are my caregivers.” Stephanie says that Jennifer’s fight and victory over cancer became all of our’s on campus. “She’s such a bright light that everyone loves to be around her.”
(Left) Sisters Lori Lista in accounts payable and Linda Simoneaux in collections walk in memory of their Uncle Richard and Aunts Sis and Rita.
(Above) Four generations rally for the Relay. Charlene Glass’ family:
Mom Betty Crawford, son John Glass Jr. and granddaughter McKenzie. Charlene is part of accounts payable.
(Right) Raymond Buckingham in IT went the distance! 
Stephanie says the Jason’s Relay for Life event has the potential to be really big, adding, “There’s something to do during all but two months a year to make it happen.”
Anyone interested in getting a team program started is invited to contact stephanie.hunt@jasonsdeli.com
p/s Lori Lewis and Raymond Buckingham have some wonderful photos from the Relay and we’ll be adding them soon…with the help of Regina!