A number of changes have been made to the ACS Relay For Life Show planned for October 3 in Shelbyville, TN. Because of a scheduling conflict at the Bedford County Ag Center, the show has been moved to Saturday, October 17, 2009. The show name and the charity have also been changed.

Show Chairman Joni Jenne' stated, "The show has been renamed Walking For Cancer to encompass the new goals for the show. We have donated more than $36,000 to the ACS Relay For Life; however, we were not able to earmark how those contributions were used. Many supporters of the show expressed a desire for the show's proceeds to benefit cancer patients in Bedford County."

As a result, the Bedford Cancer Foundation, Inc. has been established. The Bedford County Cancer Foundation, Inc. is a tax exempt charitable organization that will enable its supporters to easily and effectively support and promote funding for research and educational projects that will save lives and diminish suffering from cancer. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, all contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The Walking For Cancer Horse Show will be a source of income for the Foundation, and other sources of funding will include memorials, donations, contributions from individuals and corporations, and grants from public and private agencies.

The goals of the Bedford Cancer Foundation are (1) to promote funding for research and educational projects that will support the elimination of cancer as a major health problem and (2) to assist qualified patients while undergoing treatment when other financial sources of assistance have been denied or exhausted. Qualification for financial assistance will be based on income eligibility.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of people with a variety of experiences and expertise. There are no salaried employees and all efforts and resources are volunteered. Board members are Marty Irby, Joni Jenne', Terry Lowman, Connie May, George Ann Pratt, and Virginia Stewart. Other Board members will be named in the next few weeks.

The economy and the uncertainty in our industry have made it very difficult to garner the support we need for the Walking For Cancer. Please contact Joni Jenne' at 931-224-3046 or jjenne@charter.net if you can sponsor a class, a trophy, or ribbons. You may also send donations to Walking For Cancer Horse Show, 301 Shapard Drive, Shelbyville, TN 37160.