Thomas Ward Will Lead The Pack In Relay For Life

By Kaaren Valenta

When the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life steps off on Friday, May 19, at the Bethel High School Track, Thomas Ward will lead the survivors’ victory lap.

The Newtown teenager will be using a cane, a visible reminder of the complications he has endured after having a cancerous tumor removed from his leg two years ago. Thomas, 14, has been named honorary chairman of this year’s ACS Bethel Relay for Life, a fundraising event that has a goal of raising $200,000 to help find a cure for cancer.

Recently Thomas and some of his friends and family gathered at the home of Shari Burton in Sandy Hook for a photo to publicize the annual walk. They are looking for volunteers to join non-competitive teams of 10 or more people from families, schools, civic groups, and corporations; the volunteers take turns walking, running, or even dancing around the track in a relay that begins at 7 pm Friday and ends at 7 am Saturday.

“We’ll all be camping out there,” said Shari Burton. Mrs Burton, who is Thomas’ aunt, said that many local cancer survivors would wear scarves, symbolic of their enduring strength and courage, as they lead others around the victory lap. As night falls, a luminary ceremony will take place to honor and remember those who have been touched by cancer.

“About 9 pm all of the luminary bags around the track will be lit,” she said. “The bags, bearing individual names, help light the night for the walkers and serve as a constant reminder of why they are there. As in past years, the word “HOPE” will be spelled out on the bleachers. The luminary bags are a $5 donation.

The Bethel Relay draws people from all over the Danbury area; the number of anticipated participants has doubled since last year. According to the Danbury office of the ACS, there are 77 teams registered to take part and it is expected that thousands of onlookers will stop by to pay tribute.

Pudgie Delohery, a cancer survivor from Danbury, and her best friend, Sharon Vaghi of Bethel, will again co-chair the event.

“They work incredibly well together. Both have experienced first-hand how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be and, as a result, how important it is for the community to band together to support and comfort one another. Everyone knows someone who has faced cancer,” said Katie Kendrick, ACS special events director.

One addition to this year’s relay is the survivor reception. This reception will honor the role that local survivors play in providing hope and inspiration to others. This celebration will include an inspirational speaker, relaxation therapy, music, food, and special shirts and medals. “The involvement of local survivors, not to mention their passion for life, is proof of the progress being made not only in cancer cure rates, but also in the quality of life following cancer treatment,” Ms Kendrick said.

The event offers a variety of family-fund activities including games and contests, scavenger hunts, a pajama parade, a hair cut-a-thon, live entertainment, a dick jockey, interactive educational programming, and ceremonies to honor and remember family members, friends, and neighbors who have been touched by cancer.

Thomas Ward completed his cancer treatments a year ago. In four more years, if still cancer-free, he will be considered cured. His recuperation has been lengthy and complicated, however, as the wound has refused to heal. A staph infection and damage caused by radiation damaged the tissue and muscle in his leg where the tumor was removed.

“The dressings have to be changed twice a day,” Thomas’ mother, Laurie, said. “We’ve been trying alternative medicine because Thomas doesn’t want any more surgery. He’s afraid to do another surgery because what if it doesn’t work like the last two.”

Mrs Ward expressed her appreciation to everyone in the community who has helped the Ward family during their ordeal.

“The community has been very supportive. Everyone has helped us so much. I don’t think I can say thank you enough,” she said.

According to the American Cancer Society, statistically one in every three Americans will get some form of cancer in their lifetime. Today, more than half of the cancer patients diagnosed will survive because of ongoing research. Money raised in the Relay for Life will help fund research, local prevention and early detection programming, as well as patient support services.

Anyone who wants to join the team organized by Shari Burton can call her at 426-5977. To sign up a new team, or for more information, call Katie Kendrick at the ACS, 800/889-3340, ext. 223.