Carris Reels Inc. awards the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Rutland County with $10,000 sponsorship

With just four months until the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Rutland County, local business Carris Reels is already stepping up to support the cause and help end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

The Relay for Life or Rutland County will celebrate 35 years on Saturday, June 1, and for the past 14 years, Carris Reels has been a sponsor. This donation is the largest financial contribution in its tenured history in supporting Relay For Life.

The donation is the result of long-time walkers Tina Bell, team captain of Carris Reel Walkers, who nominated the event for the award. Bell will participate in her 18th Relay For Life this June.

“Deciding to take an extra step this year and present our story to the committee for special consideration was a no-brainer. I’m so grateful we did,” said Bell. “It was an emotional moment for all in attendance since it was unknown what the donation amount would be.”

Since 1991, Relay For Life events have helped the American Cancer Society invest $3.1 billion into cancer research, contributing to 3.8 million fewer cancer deaths and provide support programs for people with cancer and their caregivers, including a home away from home at our Hope Lodge communities when they need to travel for treatment and free access to cancer information via our 24-hour helpline, which responds to 300,000 calls and chats annually. 

“In Rutland, Relays come together because of a shared passion for ending cancer as we know it. No matter how cancer has impacted your life and how you want to get involved, you have a team here ready to welcome you,” said Kay Corio, development manager for the American Cancer Society.

“We share a passion for saving lives,” stated Richard Vitagliano, event leadership team chair of Relay For Life Rutland County. “In 2023, more than 1.9 million new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed in the United States, and more than 600,000 Americans were expected to die from cancer. This year, we are committed to raising $165,000 for the American Cancer Society’s mission, and with corporate sponsors such as Carris Reels, we will not only reach our goal but exceed it.”

There are many ways to get involved.

Join: Create a team and join the event on Saturday, June 1, at the Vermont State Fairgrounds. 

Donate: Your donation fuels the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

For more information, visit: relayforlife.org/rutlandvt.

Submitted
On Tuesday, Feb. 6 Carris Reels and the Carris Reels charitable giving committee presented a $10,000 check to the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Relay For Life (RFL) of Rutland County. Carris Reels has supported ACS and RFL of Rutland for over 18 years—as a corporate sponsor and through team participation at the event. However, this was the largest sponsorship check they’ve given. Pictured (l-r): ELT members Francis Davis, Lisa Tracy; ACS development manager Kay Corio, ELT co-chair Ken Shattuck, ELT member Angela Rivers, ELT Chair Richard Vitagliano; Carris Reels employees and team Carris Reeler members: Tina Bell (team captain), Casey Mattison (West Rutland Assembly), and Hunter McCaleb (representing the plastics facility). Not pictured, but also in attendance, Jessica Utter, Carris Reels charitable giving committee leader.