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Employees of Roanoke based Optical Cable Corporation recently held a large silent auction for the fight against cancer. At left in the photo is Tracy Smith of Southwest Roanoke County, along with Patty Fisher and Monica Shumate from North Roanoke County.

By the way, we posted a photo gallery from Relay for Life on June 1.

The full release from Optical Cable follows:

Optical Cable Corporation Employees Step Up to Fight Cancer

Employees beat their own expectations in fund raising for Relay for Life

Roanoke, VA, June 1, 2009—Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq GM: OCCF) employees raised more than $2,500 at a silent auction to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The event brought the total raised by the company team, the “OCC Cancer Crushers,” to $8,500.
The team was formed with a goal of raising $2,000, but far exceeded team members’ expectations. In addition to the silent auction, the 20 members of OCC’s Cancer Crushers have held bake sales, a car wash, lunches and have received other donations. Team members have adjusted their goal to $10,000 and believe it is reachable.
Much of the team’s motivation comes from the people around them. “We have at least five employees who have been stricken with cancer in the last two years. One is going through chemo and extensive surgery right now,” said team member Debbie Stokes. “Several employees have spouses or other family members who are battling the disease as well,” she added.
Among the most popular items at the auction were those that offered services from the company’s management team. CEO Neil Wilkin, a graduate of the University of Virginia agreed to wear a Virginia Tech ball cap in a photo with an associate – an offering that raised $50. Other donations to the auction by managers included serving lunches and dinners, giving karate lessons, providing dog obedience training sessions, and offering tickets to sporting events; all of which were popular with bidders. A framed photograph of (title) Barney Dean on his motorcycle netted $105. The rest of the money came from more traditional items such as restaurant gift cards, sports memorabilia, tool kits and household items donated by employees as well as some of OCC’s suppliers and advisors.
“The success of this effort is yet another demonstration of the incredible spirit and heart of the employees at OCC,” said Wilkin.
This is the first year OCC has sponsored the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life which was held at Roanoke County’s Green Hill Park on May 29. The planning started with a small committee meeting, and has taken on company-wide support. “We are not finished,” says Stokes. “We are committed to fighting this disease and some of us are already planning for next year.