The USDA Rural Development, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff in Rapid City, South Dakota, combined efforts to raise money for Relay for Life in memory of a former co-worker and friend, Rural Development Specialist Jim Jirsa. He was diagnosed with cancer in June 2010 and died on October 31, 2010. In memory of Jim, local staff donated food and served lunch at the USDA office earlier this month. The staff also participated in a variety of other fundraising events.
The staff raised approximately $4,200 for the event and the funds will go toward cancer research and cancer patient services. The USDA staff was awarded a silver medal for their efforts in fund raising.
Relay for Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. The main objective of the event was to help spread awareness, celebrate the lives of survivors, remember those who lost their lives to cancer and unite a community in the fight against cancer.
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