Each year the Cancer Telethon committee hosts a dinner to honor distinguished volunteers, fundraisers, or survivors whose public efforts have strengthened the American Cancer Society or inspired others to join in the fight against cancer.

This year’s “Cancer Fighters” dinner was held Sunday at Chantilly’s Restaurant and Banquet Hall in Barnesville.

People and organizations honored were:

• Shenandoah Senior Living Community, Fundraiser Spotlight, for creating opportunities for center residents to participate in events that are fun, engaging and that generate awareness and support of the cause.

• Bosom Buddies Relay for Life Team, Robert E. Ames Cancer Fighter Award, for their work organizing and participating in the annual walk.

• Tamaqua Area PTO, James J. Rhoades Award for Outstanding School Participation, for their fundraising efforts and daffodil sales.

• Maple Shade Meadows, Patricia A. Haughton Award for Exceptional Service, for years of sponsorship, Daffodil Days, and most recently the Relay Walk and Luminaria event.

• Albie Coccio, Bud Wychulis Memorial Award, for performing at more of the annual ZooStock outdoor Labor Day concerts than any other performer. He encourages, inspires and guides all others, the unofficial “dean” of ZooStock musicians.

• Robert Carl, Billie Payne Leadership Award. Some of the greatest outcomes for the Cancer Society in the 40-year history of Relay for Life came about as a result of broad participation in Pottsville, under the leadership of Billie Payne and a handful of others.

The annual telethon will be broadcast live from Penn’s Peak on April 11 and 12.