Guardian’ angels aid in cancer awareness By Cal Bryant 11/21/2006 AHOSKIE – Guardian Care #110; the true identity of this Ahoskie-based business runs deeper than the name implies. While its main focus

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, November 21, 2006

AHOSKIE – Guardian Care n the true identity of this Ahoskie-based business runs deeper than the name implies.

While its main focus is the in-house care of those who cannot help themselves, Guardian Care employees are active in other areas of public service.

Case in point is the role Guardian Care takes as an American Cancer Society benefactor. Their employees are at the forefront of the Hertford-Gates Relay for Life as well as promoting cancer education within their own walls.

During October, Guardian Care honored Breast Cancer Month. Mary Lynn Rawls, who serves the business as its payroll supervisor, gave an inspirational and touching speech to Guardian Care residents about breast cancer. As an eight-year cancer survivor, Rawls spoke from the heart.

In observance of this special month, Guardian Care residents were given pink balloons, symbolizing the color of Breast Cancer Month.

Additionally, Guardian Care also sponsored a North Carolina High School Rodeo in September. The event served as a fundraiser for Hertford-Gates Relay for Life. It was hailed as a huge success.

One of the reasons behind the rodeo’s success was Red Barn Farms Tack Shop of Gates County. The owner of that business, Becky Parker, is a cancer survivor.

The rodeo was held at Tri-G Farms near Aulander. Harvey and Jeannie Ginn rolled out the red carpet and made everyone feel at home.

“We just want to thank all those involved that helped us make the rodeo such a big success,” Rawls said.

As part of that event, a special ceremony recognized cancer survivors who were presented with medallions.

In their never-ending effort to promote cancer awareness and education while helping to raise money for research, Guardian Care sponsored a golf tournament on Nov. 17 at Tuscarora Greens near Winton. The proceeds benefited Hertford-Gates Relay for Life.

Guardian Care has been a part of Relay for Life since 2000. Rawls and co-worker Belinda Helmkamp have served on different committees that help to organize and run the successful Hertford-Gates event.

They are just two “guardian” angels helping to find a cure for cancer.