NORWICH – And they lived happily ever after ... cancer free. That’s the theme as the 16th annual Relay For Life gets underway this afternoon at the Chenango County Fairgrounds, with more than 600 participants representing 40 teams expected to attend the emotional event.
The goal – as always – said event chair Marie DeSarro, is to raise both money and awareness in the fight against cancer; to remember those who’ve lost their battle with the terrible disease; and to celebrate those who’ve survived.
“Everyone knows somebody that has fought a battle or, sadly, lost their battle with cancer ... everyone has been touched by it,” she added. “I’ve lost family members to this terrible disease and I remember feeling so helpless as I watched them get more and more sick. Whether you’ve personally battled the disease, given care to a loved one who was fighting or lost a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker, we all share in the same fight.”
Locally, Relay For Life has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past 16 years – money DeSarro called vital in the fight against cancer. And once again this year, the Chenango Relay For Life committee is well on its way to reaching its goal of $155,000, having raised more than $110,000 to date. In 2011, the local Relay surpassed its goal for the year, raising approximately $155,000. And yet, Relay is about so much more than fundraising, said DeSarro.
“It’s not just raising money to help research and programs that help cancer patients and families,” she said. “I actually have a chance to meet with people who have fought or are still fighting, a chance to talk to people who have gone through what I did when I lost loved ones and a chance to see our number of survivors increase instead of decrease. I have a chance to share in the emotions of remembering those we’ve lost ... it’s one of the most overwhelming feelings to be standing there with a huge group of people, all fighting back tears, trying to remember some of their favorite memories of their loved ones.”
More than 150 cancer survivors will kick-off tonight’s Relay with the annual Survivor Dinner Reception at 5 p.m., followed by the opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and their first lap around the fairgrounds. The relay store will open at 3 p.m., with registration held from 3 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Activities and entertainment at this year’s Relay will include a number of “themed” laps, as well as music, movies, childrens’ activities, games, trivia, a scavenger hunt, marshmallow dodge ball, an ice cream social and more.
Relay For Life, however, is still a bittersweet affair, said committee banking chair Melissa Eaton.
“It always warms my heart to see the survivors walk that first lap ... to let everyone know there is hope,” said Eaton. “But it also saddens me when, during the luminary ceremony, you see all the loved ones who have lost their lives to this horrible disease.”
Relay’s impact on individuals, families and teammates is undeniable, added committee member Becky Yacano, who said the emotions one feels when you hear that family member or friend named during the luminaria ceremony – to be held at 9:30 tonight – are overwhelming.
“It’s a way to always remember our loved ones and let them know we will never forget them or their fight,” she added. “It is also a way to honor those who are still with us, to let them know we are there with them in this battle.”
The event, according to the Relay For Life committee as a whole, symbolizes the best the community has to offer: Honor, faith, friendship, family, dedication, perseverance and remembrance.
Said DeSarro, “I truly believe it’s the community that has made Relay so successful the past sixteen years. Chenango County has some very dedicated and hard-working people who love and care about their families, friends and neighbors. They don’t want to see another life lost to such a horrible disease.”
For more information on the Chenango Relay For Life or to donate to the cause visit relayforlife.org/chenangocountyny.