In Alex's Memory
Susie and Bill Graham honored for tireless efforts
to benefit cancer patients.
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
StaffWriter
IV
and Oak Doors
"We will actually have a Relay at the
Capitol building," she says. Organizers -
hope the event will include representa-
tion from each congressional district in a
discussion with lawmakers on issues
relating to the war against cancer.
hen Susie and Bill Graham
of West Bloomfield dedi-
cated themselves to work-
ing on the American
Friendly Involvement
Cancer Society (ACS) Relay For Life in
The Grahams participate annually in the
West Bloomfield four years ago, the last
Relay, a 24-hour event on the track of
thing they were looking b for was credit.
West
Bloomfield High School. Each
Working from their hearts, the two
organizes
a team named for Alex. Bill
began their involvement asa tribute to
Graham
heads
"Big Al's Buddies" and
the memory of their daughter, Alex.
Susie leads "Ali-
Co-chairs of the
Gators," with
Relay for the sec-
team members
ond year. in a row,
including Alex's
the two shy away
friends.
from honors and
The day before
recognition, but
the most recent
those who know
Relay on June 17-
about the lives
18, employees of
they've impacted
Susie Graham's
can't help but offer
West Bloomfield
thanks.
store, Greetings
The Grahams are
From ..., donned
winners of the
Relay T-shirts
2002 Michigan
while signs pro-
Week Volunteer
moting the chari-
Bill and Susie Graham
Leadership Award
ty event hung in
for their involve-
the front window.
ment in the Relay, a
Her
store
was
the
official
post for pick-
community-based event that raises funds
up
of
supplies
and
packets
for
partici-
for the ACS, celebrates survivorship and
pants
of
the
Relay.
. remembers those who have died of can-
Barrie Schwartz, 13, of West
cer.
Bloomfield, daughter of Graham
"Both of us feel that it is so important
employee Karen Schwartz, invited friends
to do something positive in the memory
and family to join her and make dona-
of those 1. ve love," says Susie Graham,
tions at the Relay instead of having a
who, with her husband, became involved
party
in celebration of her upcoming bat
in the Relay following Alex's 1999 death
mitzvah.
(bone
cancer)
at
age
of osteogenic sarcoma
"It was such . a great idea," Susie
17.
Graham says. "She actually invited all the
The award, for "outstanding and
guests and enclosed an envelope for a
invaluable service to the community,"
donation rather than a gift."
was presented May 21 in Marshall — on
"Barrie's Mitzvah Team" brought in
Volunteer Day of the annual Michigan
$9,174,
the most donations of any indi-
Week celebration.
vidual
team
at this year's Relay. Several
The Grahams will share awards with
thousand
community
residents attended
12 others, including fellow Relay pro-
the event, which raised a total of
moter Pat Dault, who they nominated.
The Grahams were nominated by Denise $150,000 for the ACS.
In a promotion similar to Schwartz's
Hammond, West Bloomfield Township
donation
cards, Graham has been
treasurer, who also heads a Relay team.
encouraging
brides and grooms and b'nai
In September, Susie Graham will join
mitzvah
celebrants
who shop for invita-
four other Detroit-area participants being
tions
in
her
store
to
purchase place cards
honored by the ACS as "Relay for Life
from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Celebration on the Hill" community
ambassadors in Washington, D.C., on
the National Mall.
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IN ALEX'S MEMORY on page 46
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