Four local residents, a student group, and their faculty adviser will be recognized in several award categories at the Carbon/Tamaqua American Cancer Society Telethon Committee's 2012 Cancer Fighters' Dinner on April 1 at the AMVETS Hall, 201 W. Ridge St., in Lansford.

The dinner, held each year, is presented by the American Cancer Society Telethon Committee as a kick-off and rally for the popular local televised fundraiser.This year's 24-hour telethon airs April 14-15.Telethon Committee Chairman Joe Krushinsky announced that Danny Farole of Nesquehoning will receive the Patricia A. Haughton Award for Exceptional Service; Jessica Kutza of Coaldale will receive the Next Generation Leadership Award; Lehighton Middle School students and facility adviser John Lopata will receive the Outstanding School Participation award; and Ted and Susie Bortnick of Coaldale will receive the 2012 Cancer Award.Dr. Rosalee Rehrig, Carbon Tamaqua Unit Volunteer Leadership Committee chairwoman, announced that this year's guest speaker at the dinner will be American Cancer Society Regional Vice President Jo-Anne Sessa, RN, who will report on recent advances in cancer control."To make the occasion even more meaningful, we wanted to have a knowledgeable speaker who could tell our volunteers, donors and dinner guests in layman's terms about the progress that is being made in the cancer fight," Rehrig said. "I know Jo-Anne will use the opportunity also to emphasize the importance of volunteerism and local donations, such as to our annual telethon."The dinner program will include the guest speaker, awards presentations and musical selections by familiar telethon performers according to Krushinsky, who serves as master of ceremonies. Cocktails are from 5-6 p.m., dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m.Tickets for the dinner are available by calling Kathy Dombrosky, dinner chairwoman, at (570) 573-2807. Information about all American Cancer Society Telethon-related events and volunteer opportunities can be found at

www.cancertelethon.org.