Thumbs up to all those who participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of York County. The event was held at the Kennebunk High School track from June 21-22. During Relay for Life, teams walk continuously, often taking turns, for 24 hours, because “cancer never sleeps,” according to the ACS. Teams raise funds through donations and pledges before and during the event. Locally, about 600 people participated and more than $80,000 was raised. The funds go toward research for treatments and a cure, help getting to and from medical services, and programs that help those with cancer. This annual event is an impressive feat, raising nearly $5 billion to date, according to the Relay for Life website, and is encouraging to the many people who have had or been affected by cancer, letting them know that thousands and thousands of people are joining in the fight.
Thumbs down to the apparent hit-and-run that put a Saco woman in the hospital and in critical condition. The woman, 87-year-old Jewell Friedman, was crossing Ferry Road from Ocean Greens Drive at about 10 a.m. last Saturday while walking her dog when she was struck by a vehicle, which police say slowed, before speeding away. There’s never an excuse for leaving the scene of an accident, whether other people or vehicles are involved or not. It’s shocking that a driver could strike a person in broad daylight and then continue on their way. Everyone needs to take their time and pay attention behind the wheel, and when an accident does happen, call the police for assistance in filing a report, or 911 if a person has been injured.
Thumbs up to the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford ”“ both the staff and volunteers, and those who make the difficult first step in admitting they need help. Literacy is an issue not often considered in this day and age, due to the requirement of children to attend school through age 16, but somehow, some people still slip through the cracks, whether it’s school pushing them through the system, or those youth learning to hide their challenge with reading and writing. But thanks to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford, there is free help available to those who struggle with reading ”“ both young and old ”“ and their message is important: It’s never too late, or too early. At its recent awards banquet, the group honored two brothers in their early 20s who made it through high school, but who both continued to struggle with reading. Both said the one-on-one tutoring offered by LVGS made the difference and has been life-changing. We applaud the organization and its volunteers, and encourage those who are struggling with literacy to seek out the assistance of the dedicated tutors.
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