Mercy Medical’s Relay for Life team, also known as the Mercy Shamrocks, raised a total of $5,179.01 for the American Cancer Society. Pictured from left, first row are Anna DeLeon, Kathy Gibson, Donna Wilhelm, dog Captain, Beth Devan, Ben Devan, boy in front Houston Pierce, Buddy Jacobs, Cecilia Mace, Mia Bell, and Terry Wood; Taylor Lawhon, Sandy Paden, Marilyn Graf, Tess Slay, Pat Jacobs, Carla McIntyre, Camille McIntyre, Mallory McIntyre and (standing) Jake Bell; Third Row: Amanda Pierce, Casey Kendall, Peggy Thornhill, Don Presley, Dale Presley, Juliet Mace, Wanda Stone, Susan Cox, (in front) Sister Deborah Kennedy, Lyn Fogarty, Tracy Bell, Stephanie Pierce, and Trent Wilhelm.

Pictured at the 2009 Relay for Life in Daphne, Ala. is at the podium, Sherry Lea Bloodworth and her father (sitting on left) Norman Sanchez. Sanchez can no longer speak because his vocal chords are paralyzed from cancer and asked his daughter Sherry-Lea Bloodworth, to read his moving testimonial.

Mercy Shamrocks won best baton at the 2009 Relay for Life in Daphne, Ala.

Daphne, Ala.— Employees of Mercy Medical and their families joined hundreds of participants in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on May 1, 2009, at Daphne Middle School and raised a total of $5,179.01. Mercy Medical has participated in the event as well as sponsored the event for many years and for the third year in a row as the stage sponsor. This year’s participation awarded the Mercy team, named the Mercy Shamrocks, as the corporate team that raised the most money and best baton.

The Olympics was the theme of this year’s Relay for Life. The Mercy Shamrocks chose Ireland as its country to honor Catherine McAuley, who was the founder of the Sisters of Mercy as well as Irish. The Mercy Shamrocks were grateful to Sonny Hill Polo for use of a tent to decorate and to enjoy that evening. Mercy Shamrocks also sought the pot of gold in finding a cure for cancer and proved to have the luck of the Irish in this year’s participation.

Relay for Life evening festivities opened with several presenters including the Chairman of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors and Mercy’s Director of Marketing, Donna Wilhelm. “All of us here tonight, especially those among us who are cancer survivors, know how difficult the battle against cancer can be. This is particularly true for children who have been touched by cancer,” said Wilhelm.

Wilhelm’s words prefaced the courageous battle that Norman Sanchez has fought over the last year. Sanchez, who can no longer speak because his vocal chords are paralyzed from cancer, asked his daughter Sherry-Lea Bloodworth, Mercy’s director of development, to read his moving testimonial. Sanchez’ cancer is a rare form that affects the head and neck area and is difficult to treat. “Early detection is key,” said Bloodworth on behalf of her father, who was told he would not live past last October. “Even the doctors have credited God with his remarkable battle,” continued Bloodworth. “The doctors at UAB and the support of family and friends at the Hope Lodge in Birmingham have also played a big role in supporting him through countless doses of chemotherapy, radiation and his battle with cancer. Now, it is my Dad’s goal to continue to tell everyone he meets about the power of prayer and not to give up hope,” said Bloodworth. Sanchez’s amazing battle of relentless hope and enduring treatments literally brought the crowd of hundreds to tears. His awe inspiring battle with cancer exemplified the reasons to relay for life.

The spirit of the Mercy Shamrocks was evident by the tent design, the best legs contest that raised $1,723, the t-shirt design, the bake sales, the gently used treasure sale, the denim Fridays, the team member web sites, the baton, the grilling the night of the event and the amount of volunteer hours contributed by many team members that included Terry Wood; Beth Devan; Susan Cox; Donna Wilhelm; Wanda Stone; Carolyn Barbour; Sherry Bloodworth; Carla McIntyre; Cecilia Mace; Dale Presley; Sr. Deborah Kennedy, RSM; Shona Franklin; Lyn Fogarty; Mike Freytag; John French; Fred Lloyd; Kathy Gibson; Sr Marilyn Graf, RSM; Judy Hazelton; Jimmy Ray Hadder; Gaye Wilson; Randy Harrison; Patricia Jacobs; Sandy Paden; Stephanie Pierce; and Tess Slay.

Mercy Medical has been a leader among healthcare providers on the Gulf Coast since 1949. Mercy Medical is a healthcare continuum that provides services in rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term care, home health, hospice, assisted living, lifecare retirement and memory care.

For more information on Mercy Medical, call 251-621-4200 or visit mercymedical.com.