Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event, since its inception in 1985, has realized remarkable success in raising money in the fight against cancer. Of the thousands of Relay teams that participate in nearly 4,800 Relay For Life venues across the country, no single Relay For Life team comes close to matching the success of the Rosebud Mining Company team at the Ford City Relay For life in Ford City, PA.

The Rosebud Miners team has been recognized as the American Cancer Society’s first ever “Million-Dollar Relay Team” in the nation, raising $1,257,177 in the six years that it has been participating in the Ford City Relay For Life. The Ford City Relay was established in1996.

The Million-Dollar Recognition Award was presented to Rosebud Mining at their headquarters in Kittanning on August 26. Reuel Johnson, the American Cancer Society’s National Vice President for Relay For Life, was on hand to present the prestigious award. Accepting the award on behalf of Rosebud Mining was Cliff Forrest, owner, CEO and President of Rosebud Mining.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that brings together teams of 8 to 15 people from local businesses, schools, churches, and families for camaraderie, food, fun, music, entertainment, and a night under the stars – all while team members take turns walking or running on a track for 24 hours. Relay For Life features a cancer Survivors Victory Lap and reception to celebrate life, and the evening’s moving Luminaria Ceremony memorializes those we have lost to cancer and honors those who are fighting or have conquered the disease.

The Rosebud Miners team consists of employees from Rosebud Mining who over the years have developed some very creative ways to raise money for the team. Local wing-eating nights, pheasant shoots, drawings for free days off for Rosebud employees and payroll deduction, just to name a few. And best of all, Cliff Forest demonstrates his commitment to community and the American Cancer Society by annually matching all funds raised by the Rosebud Mining team at 100%. Serving as the team captain for Rosebud Mining was Tom Stitt, himself a cancer survivor. Tom is the owner of Air-Lert, Inc., which builds electrical equipment for coal mining.

“Every team involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is important, and there are nearly 200,000 teams involved nationwide, but there is one that truly stands out -- the Rosebud Mining team from Ford City, PA,” said Reuel Johnson, National Vice President for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. “The volunteers from Rosebud Mining have been the #1 fund raising team in the entire country for several years ... their cumulative fund raising in the six years they have been involved has surpassed $1 million ... a truly remarkable achievement that is helping to further the work of the ACS and the progress against cancer.”

The co-chairs of the Ford City Relay For Life have either been touched by cancer in some form or other, whether themselves, a friend, or a loved-one. Tom Stitt, himself a cancer survivor, is the owner of Air-Lert, Inc., which builds electrical equipment for coal mining.

Judy Walter is employed at the Richard Laube Cancer Center. Janet Cowan is a retired school teacher and a breast cancer survivor. Jerry Shirey is a cancer survivor and a teacher at Lenape Technical School. Angie Smith, who is now retired, has been involved with the Ford City Relay For Life since its inception in 1996. Bob Podvorec is a former Pennsylvania State Trooper and a lung cancer survivor.

In 2007, Relay For Life raised more than $21.1 million at more than 217 Relay sites for the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society. Nationwide, more than

3 million people participated in Relay For Life, with more than 500,000 cancer survivors participating. All in all, more than 4,770 Relay For Life events were held nationwide in 2007, raising $405 million. Relay For Life now takes place in 19 countries.

For Ed Sweeney, American Cancer Society Income Development Specialist for the Pennsylvania Division’s Western Region and staff liaison to the Ford City Relay For Life, the event has made an everlasting impression on him, as he was asked to serve as the team captain of a very special young girl’s team. At the time, Calia Bowser of Dayton, PA was a 13-year old student at West Shamokin High School who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer – Ewing’s Sarcoma. “When I took the track with Calia and the rest of her team, I felt like I was walking among giants,” said Sweeney.

“I will never forget her words…’Never, Never, Never give up.’ ” After three bouts with the disease, this past January, Calia lost her battle at age 17. “This is why it is so important that companies such as Rosebud Mining and their team’s participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, raise crucial funds in the fight against cancer,” added Sweeney.

The Rosebud Miners team has been recognized as the American Cancer Society’s first ever “Million-Dollar Relay Team” in the nation, raising $1,257,177 in the six years that it has been participating in the Ford City Relay For Life. The Ford City Relay was established in1996.

The Million-Dollar Recognition Award was presented to Rosebud Mining at their headquarters in Kittanning on August 26. Reuel Johnson, the American Cancer Society’s National Vice President for Relay For Life, was on hand to present the prestigious award. Accepting the award on behalf of Rosebud Mining was Cliff Forrest, owner, CEO and President of Rosebud Mining.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that brings together teams of 8 to 15 people from local businesses, schools, churches, and families for camaraderie, food, fun, music, entertainment, and a night under the stars – all while team members take turns walking or running on a track for 24 hours. Relay For Life features a cancer Survivors Victory Lap and reception to celebrate life, and the evening’s moving Luminaria Ceremony memorializes those we have lost to cancer and honors those who are fighting or have conquered the disease.

The Rosebud Miners team consists of employees from Rosebud Mining who over the years have developed some very creative ways to raise money for the team. Local wing-eating nights, pheasant shoots, drawings for free days off for Rosebud employees and payroll deduction, just to name a few. And best of all, Cliff Forest demonstrates his commitment to community and the American Cancer Society by annually matching all funds raised by the Rosebud Mining team at 100%. Serving as the team captain for Rosebud Mining was Tom Stitt, himself a cancer survivor. Tom is the owner of Air-Lert, Inc., which builds electrical equipment for coal mining.

“Every team involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is important, and there are nearly 200,000 teams involved nationwide, but there is one that truly stands out -- the Rosebud Mining team from Ford City, PA,” said Reuel Johnson, National Vice President for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. “The volunteers from Rosebud Mining have been the #1 fund raising team in the  entire country for several years ... their cumulative fund raising in the six years they have been involved has surpassed  $1 million ... a truly remarkable achievement that is helping to further the work of the ACS and the progress against cancer.” 

The co-chairs of the Ford City Relay For Life have either been touched by cancer in some form or other, whether themselves, a friend, or a loved-one. Tom Stitt, himself a cancer survivor, is the owner of Air-Lert, Inc., which builds electrical equipment for coal mining.

Judy Walter is employed at the Richard Laube Cancer Center. Janet Cowan is a retired school teacher and a breast cancer survivor. Jerry Shirey is a cancer survivor and a teacher at Lenape Technical School. Angie Smith, who is now retired, has been involved with the Ford City Relay For Life since its inception in 1996. Bob Podvorec is a former Pennsylvania State Trooper and a lung cancer survivor.

In 2007, Relay For Life raised more than $21.1 million at more than 217 Relay sites for the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society. Nationwide, more than

3 million people participated in Relay For Life, with more than 500,000 cancer survivors participating. All in all, more than 4,770 Relay For Life events were held nationwide in 2007, raising $405 million. Relay For Life now takes place in 19 countries.

For Ed Sweeney, American Cancer Society Income Development Specialist for the Pennsylvania Division’s Western Region and staff liaison to the Ford City Relay For Life, the event has made an everlasting impression on him, as he was asked to serve as the team captain of a very special young girl’s team. At the time, Calia Bowser of Dayton, PA was a 13-year old student at West Shamokin High School who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer – Ewing’s Sarcoma. “When I took the track with Calia and the rest of her team, I felt like I was walking among giants,” said Sweeney.

“I will never forget her words…’Never, Never, Never give up.’ ” After three bouts with the disease, this past January, Calia lost her battle at age 17. “This is why it is so important that companies such as Rosebud Mining and their team’s participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, raise crucial funds in the fight against cancer,” added Sweeney.