News Releases

Mercy’s Relay for Life team raised an estimated total of $5,832 thus far for the American Cancer Society. Pictured at the 2010 Relay for Life in Daphne, Ala. are from left, first row kneeling are Emily Mace, Donna Wilhelm (team co-captain), Captain (Dog), Mary Catherine Campbell, Cecilia Mace (team co-captain), Brooks Paschal, Juliet Mace, Ariel Delaney, Hali Everette, Lexi Roberts, Katie Vannoy, Emma Grace Vannoy: from left standing Nicole Grosse, Harriet West, Kathy Gibson, Sr. Marilyn Graf, RSM. (team co-captain), Cindy Hopkins, Stephanie Pierce, Cindy Lopez, Susan Cox, Onree Wilson, Terry Woods, Dawn Everette, Trent Wilhelm, Lynn Paschal, and Carrie Roberts. Not pictured are Sister Deborah Kennedy (team co-captain), Mialinn Bell, Tracy Bell, Gemma Campbell, Judy Hazelton, Randy Harrison, Beth Devan, Donna Freeman, Sherry-Lea Bloodworth, and Tess Herndon.

Holding the Mercy Torch high while Cruisin’ for a Cure at the 2010 Relay for Life fundraiser, members of the Mercy team are pictured from left Katie Vannoy, Dawn Everette, Donna Wilhelm (team co-chair) and Trent Wilhelm. Donna Wilhelm creatively designed Mercy’s torch to complement the Mercy Love Boat.

Terry Wood and Onree Wilson expertly marinated and smoked 90 Boston Butts raising more than $1,000 dollars for the Mercy Medical team.

Daphne, Ala.— Employees of Mercy Medical and their families joined hundreds of participants in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay for Life on April 30, 2010, at Daphne Middle School and raised an estimated total of $5,832 thus far. For many years Mercy Medical has participated in the event, donated $1,500 as the stage sponsor and continues its loyal support of Relay for Life.

The 2010 Relay for Life theme “cancer never takes a holiday” inspired participants to creatively design its team and tent on a real or fictional holiday. Mercy Medical’s team chose to be the crew of a luxury cruise ship and went “Cruisin’ for a Cure” inviting others to take a holiday from Cancer on the Mercy Love Boat. The Mercy team was strongly supported by the community on its quest to raise funds for the ACS. Many people went over and beyond to help this great cause. Jeff Lowther, a Mercy volunteer, spent hours building a magnificent 4-foot wide Mercy Love Boat facade that he meticulously hand-painted. The Pilot family generously lent and set up two white 10’ x 10’ tents that Kathy Gibson, along with Stephanie Pierce, Terry Woods, and others transformed into the interior of the Mercy Love Boat. James Ray cleverly engineered a stand for the boat façade. The Spanish Fort Fire and Rescue lent Terry Woods its industrial sized smoker to cook 90 Boston Butts raising more than a thousand dollars. Dade Paper donated paper products for pulled pork lunches that raised hundreds of dollars. Van Air O Screen in Foley provided silk screened t-shirts at cost for the event. Punta Clara Kitchen in Point Clear donated candy, Winn Dixie donated gift cards, and Red and White in Mobile donated wine for a basket raffle that raised hundreds of dollars.

Mercy’s fund-raising efforts included the sale of Boston Butts, expertly marinated in special seasoning and smoked for hours by Terry Wood and Onree Wilson; the sale of T-shirts with the Mercy Love Boat design, several bake sales, a casual-jean Fridays fundraiser, online fundraising, a basket raffle and boxed lunches. Donna Wilhelm, Mercy’s vice president of sales and marketing and president of the ACS Board of Directors and team co-captain designed the torch using a boat oar embellished with a life jacket, rope, sun hat and other bright floats. Even through sporadic drizzles of rain, many staff members and their families came out to join the event and everyone had their reason for participating.

“I first participated in Relay for Life in 2008, the year my maid of honor and best friend Karen Bell died of ovarian cancer at age 44. In 2009, I lost two more loved ones, my Aunt Betty and my Aunt Ronnie to cancer. For me, supporting this great event is a way to honor those who lost their battle and to support anyone going through the battle. It is an unbearable thought imagining the suffering, the fear, and the pain of cancer, so rather than do nothing, this is one way for me to actively make a stand of support, of honor and of compassion. Most importantly, my children are alongside of me each year, knowing that their participation, however small, makes a difference. My hope is they continue to support great causes like this through participation and volunteerism,” explained Cecilia Mace, Mercy’s team co-captain.

According to Carrie Roberts, Mercy’s chief nursing officer and a cancer survivor, “When I was diagnosed with cancer it was devastating; but with medical treatment and support from my parents I have been cancer-free for 13 years. For me, Relay for Life is a time to celebrate, honor and remember. Not only is it important for survivors but for those family and friends who support them. It is an opportunity for our community to come together, fight back against cancer and make a difference. The unfortunate truth is that nearly all of us will have to deal with cancer one way or another; either through a loved one or the fight ourselves. Cancer never takes a holiday, and now more than ever it is crucial to Relay for Life as cancer never ceases.

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, independent living and memory care.

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