NORWICH – The 15th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Chenango will kick-off with the Survivor Dinner and Opening Ceremony – at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively – tonight at the Chenango County Fairgrounds.
Thousands are expected to attend the overnight event, according to event chair Marie DeSarro, one that’s seen an ever-growing amount of support from cancer survivors, the families and friends of those who’ve been lost to the disease and the community as a whole.
As the American Cancer Society’s largest, nationwide fundraising movement, the local Relay For Life’s overall goal this year is $155,000. And while “we’re ahead of where we were last year at this point,” said DeSarro, “we still need a lot of support to hit our goal.”
DeSarro said she’s optimistic, however, that the community will pull through once again this year. Last year, Relay For Life of Chenango raised over $151,000 toward the fight against cancer.
“This community continues to step up, regardless of any increases to our event goal,” she added. “Chenango County has never let us down and we currently have 50 teams with over 650 participants.”
DeSarro said the reason the event continues to grow every year is simple – more and more people want to see a cure for cancer. With continued advancements in cancer research, people are becoming more aware, and they want to be part of that push, she added.
“Most people want to be a part of something special – that does something positive for others – and that’s what Relay For Life is all about,” said DeSarro. “It’s about showing people who are struggling through this terrible disease that there are others out there that support them and want to see them get better.”
Doreen Lamb – who received a bone marrow transplant in 2010 after being diagnosed with stage 4, non-Hotchkin’s lymphoma – is just one of hundreds who’ve seen the kind of support the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life provide. This year, she’ll walk in Relay for the first time – as a survivor.
“This is very important for us. Last year we didn’t know if I was going to survive and my outlook on life was pretty grim,” said Lamb, who’ll walk at Relay with her niece on Friday. “If it wasn’t for the American Cancer Society, I wouldn’t have survived.”
Lamb was just one cancer patient who – along with her family – utilized the services offered at the Rochester-based American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, one of many programs supported by Relay and the ACS. According to Relay For Life of Chenango media and promotions chair Wendie Hutchings, the lodge regularly serves county residents, relieving them of expensive hotel accommodations while receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
Hutchings added that – in 2010 – the ACS helped over 400 Chenango County residents: 91 with financial assistance, seven with wigs, 40 with lodging, four through the ACS program Look Good ... Feel Better, nine through the Man to Man program and 49 through transportation.
Lauren Howell – a teacher at the Perry Browne Elementary School for over two decades – has been a committee member with Relay For Life of Chenango for the past five years. Before that, she was part of a team formed in honor of her sister, now a seven year cancer survivor.
“I love Relay and it gives me a lot of satisfaction. It’s a great group of people to work with and it’s like a family,” said Howell. “A lot of people in this community are affected by cancer ... our families, our friends and even our co-workers. We’re just trying to help in any way we can.”
The event itself, she added, is an emotional one.
“It’s just so amazing to see all of these people come together; it’s very moving,” said Howell.
American Cancer Society Director of Special Events Denise Woods said it’s inspiring to see that – even during these difficult economic times – there’s still a passion for fighting cancer. That’s why, she added, Relay continues to grow year after year. What’s also impressive, said Woods, is the fact that Relay For Life of Chenango is one of the top ranked Relays in the nation.
“It’s amazing, these people are so committed and they just keep coming back, they keep rolling,” she added. “I feel very, very privileged to be their staff partner.”
According to DeSarro, it’s all about the enthusiasm displayed by each and every team year after year. Regardless of whether they’re a new team – or a veteran one – they’re always coming up with new ways to raise money, she added.
“We have teams selling friendship bracelets, cupcakes, raffle baskets and raffle tickets for a trip to Disney World. We have teams selling food, making breakfast and selling water so our walkers can stay hydrated,” stated DeSarro. “All to raise money for this cause. We try to take the darkness of this horrible disease and turn it into something lighthearted. Were trying to give people who may struggle every day fighting their illness one night of celebration and hope, that they will win their fight.”
This year’s Relay For Life will feature musical performances by local bands The Jacksons and Thistle Dew; a number of activities – for both children and adults – including a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, movies, trivia and relay races and ten themed laps – a clown lap (as part of this year’s “Greatest Cause on Earth” circus theme, an old relay shirt lap, road to recovery and poker laps, quitters’ lap, dance and PJ snuggie laps, kids hands of hope and puppet laps and a mummy-wrap lap.
Registration will be open from 3 to 6 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and 7 to 9 a.m. on Saturday. The Luminary Ceremony will be held at 9:30 tonight, with music provided by bagpiper Steven Cady and harpist Ted Davenport. Closing ceremonies will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
For more information contact Denise Woods at 766-6911 or visit www.relayforlife.org/chenangocountyny.