Relay Teams, Relay-ritto Raising Funds For The Cure

By John Voket

While the June 9 Newtown Relay For Life may seem like it is far in the distant future for some, several relay teams and initiatives have already been gathering momentum, raising funds and inspiring participants who are committed to beating this illness in their own lifetimes.

One such concentrated effort from Charlene Calandro’s Walking for a Silver Lining relay team, which has enlisted the partnership of Burgerittoville, a local restaurant, and the talents of Fairfield Prep freshman Andrew Haas. Andrew and Burgerittoville owner Joseph Rebecco, Jr, have come up with a benefit tag decorated with a colorful Relay-ritto, which patrons can buy and personalize for just $1 at the Church Hill Road eatery.

According to Ms Colandro, she and her teammates have done the traditional fundraisers, including cocktail and product parties, as well as a more offbeat yoga night at Graceful Planet and fundraising trips to see Bridgeport Bluefish and Sound Tigers games. She said the Relay-ritto promotion was an ideal way to get younger people involved, as well as a small independent business that wanted to help, but was not be in a position to make a large direct donation.

The Walking for a Silver Lining Relay For Life Team includes Joanne Amante, Deb Rutter, Kim Duffy, Diane Frazzetta, Victoria Kordish, and Jodi Jones. Diane Martell, Michelina DiSibio, Amy Ricketts, Kathryn Wolf, Karen and Ashley Meisenheimer, Kelly Conte, Betsy Hoyt, Liz Raftery, Zorianna Spies, and Beth Tananbaum are also members of this year’s team.

“I became involved in the American Cancer’s Society Relay For Life because many of my friends and family have been touched by cancer and I wanted to feel as if I was fighting back. Prior to Relay For Life I was very involved with Daffodil Days, but I always felt as if I needed to do more,” she said. “As soon as we say Happy New Year, I’m off and running, starting to plan for Relay For Life. I guess you could say I’m a little obsessed.”

Ms Colandro recalled her personal connection to cancer started in fifth grade.

“My best friend Anna and I have been friends since kindergarten and in fifth grade her Dad was diagnosed with cancer. I remember sitting on her front porch one afternoon and I asked her what was wrong with her Dad, and she said he has the ‘C’ word,” Ms Colandro recalled. “She couldn’t even say the word ‘cancer.’”

At the time, Ms Colandro didn’t say anything because she knew about the “C” word.

“I had lost a grandmother and aunt to cancer before I was born, so I didn’t know them but I had heard stories of how horribly they suffered and died so young. I couldn’t offer words of hope to Anna because I never heard of anyone surviving cancer,” she said.

Later that year Anna’s dad passed away; he was in his late forties. He left behind a devastated family.

“Since his passing I have had three aunts and five uncles pass away from cancer,” Ms Colandro said. “But the good news is I have had my mom, my mother-in-law, my brother-in-law, two cousins, and two very good friends diagnosed with cancer and they are still around today!

“That is why I relay, because today there is hope,” she said.

Emily Goldman of Sandy Hook, a senior at Newtown High School, knows the pain felt by Ms Colandro’s friend Anna. Emily got involved in the relay as a middle-schooler after her own mother passed away.

“For nine, long years, my mom battled breast cancer,” Emily said. “Unfortunately, about five and a half years ago, she lost that battle as the horrendous disease took her life.”

Each year as the relay season comes around, Emily said she fights in memory of her mother.

“I know that I can never bring her back, but by relaying, I can, we can, help save others from feeling the pain that I have felt and been through,” Emily said. “She is the reason I relay.”

The South Beach of Martha’s Vineyard was not only a favorite summer vacation spot, it also became the final destination for her mother’s ashes, Emily said. That is why she maintains a beach-themed station along the relay track for her many teammates.

“This year, our team will be comprised of over 30 high school seniors,” Emily said. “Even though I plan to be involved in the Relay For Life in years to come, this will be our final one altogether as high school students and possibly with this same group for people.”

While members of her team plan to continue to participate in Relay For Life events while in college, this final local relay booth will feature relay-themed and traditional beach games. Last year, Emily’s South Beach Babes enlisted about 20 teenagers who raising more than $5,000.

Now entering its third year, the Silver Lining team hopes to raise up to $10,000. In 2006, Ms Colandro’s team helped bring in $8,880.

To learn more about the upcoming Newtown Relay For Life, and the many related events and fundraisers scheduled, go to www.acsevents.org/relay/ctnewtown.