ACS Holds Relay For Life Mini University

BETHEL — Melinda Irwin, an American Cancer Society research grantee from the Yale University Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, captivated more than 75 volunteers during Area 5’s Relay For Life Mini University at the Stony Hill Inn in Bethel recently.

Updating the community on the progress of cancer research, Dr Irwin, who has a master’s degree in public health (MPH) and a doctorate (PhD), explained the research that her team is currently studying on exercise intervention in breast cancer survivors.

At one point during her presentation, Dr Irwin expressed the difficulty in getting funding and how the grant she received from the American Cancer Society is extremely beneficial for her research. At that moment she glanced up from the podium and warmly acknowledged the volunteers for their fundraising efforts, saying “Thank you” to everyone in the room. A cheering applause followed.

Under the auspices of the “Hoedown For Hope,” the spirited and fun-filled Mini-Relay University was organized by volunteers Dawn Escoda, Ivette Gerics, Lynda and Guy Russo of the Relay For Life of Newtown, and provided a great venue to network and talk about best practices.

This year, Relay For Life events are planned in Fairfield and Litchfield communities including Newtown, Stratford, Monroe/Trumbull, Wilton, New Milford, Shepaug Valley, Shelton, Fairfield, Bethel, Ridgefield and Northwest Hills, and the Western Connecticut University Campus in Danbury.