Celebrating ‘More Birthdays’—

Relay Organizers In Countdown Mode

As Event Approaches

By John Voket

Plans are nearly complete for Newtown’s biggest birthday party ever. The 2010 Relay For Life is happening at Fairfield Hills June 5–6, with the theme of celebrating “more birthdays,” according to this year’s event chair Addie Sandler.

“I am really excited about RFL this year,” she told The Bee this week. “Our theme ‘A world with more birthdays is a world with less cancer,’ has allowed us to be really creative with the activities we have planned.”

Ms Sandler said that this year’s Relay teams are going “all out” preparing games and activities that will contribute toward programs, outreach, education and research for the American Cancer Society. And this year, all the Relay participants are hoping to draw more survivors, caregivers, family, friends, and particularly those who may have not been touched by cancer or those who believe they do not have a place at the Relay.

Basically, Ms Sandler said, “If you are celebrating a birthday in 2010, this Relay is dedicated to you.”

“During the opening ceremony, we will sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to all survivors and attendees, and Newtown has challenged other Relays around the globe to do the same,” Ms Sandler said. “I hope all survivors will come to the opening ceremony and walk the survivors lap with their family.”

This year, after the opening lap, Ms Sandler said that fellow survivor Shannon Hicks from The Bee plans on snapping an elevation photo of all attending survivors standing with caregivers and family members in the shape of the word “HOPE.”

Official activities will commence June 5 with the registration and food tents opening at 3 pm, followed by the 2010 Kids For A Cure youth relay between 3:30 and 5 pm. The opening ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30 pm with music from Connecticut recording artist Javier Colon returning for his second visit to Newtown.

The “Happy Birthday” sing-along and opening lap led by Honorary Chair Jill Collins will follow as the event swings into high gear for the next 11 hours.

Among the activities planned are two sessions where staff from the New Beginnings spa of Bethel will be taking donations for the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, which assembles donated locks of hair into hairpieces for cancer patients.

At the top of each hour there will be themed laps where all teams and visitors are invited to get involved. Keeping with the “birthday” theme of the night, each team is also asked to host party-style games or activities at their tent sites that will be open to all.

The popular “Miss Relay” contest, featuring Newtown’s most handsome beauty contestant gentlemen, is set for 8 pm. Besides the set from Mr Colon, there will be live music during the evening from the Bandolins, Lindsey & Hofez, and dance performances by Dance, Etc and members of the Judy’s Diamonds team.

That dance group will lead into the inspiring luminaria ceremony just after dark at 9:30.

Anyone wishing to reserve their luminarias early can do so thanks to the ongoing support of team members representing Newtown Savings Bank. All 14 Newtown Savings Bank branch locations will have luminarias available for advanced purchase in honor or in memory of those who have cancer between Friday, May 28, and Saturday, June 5.

Luminarias are the paper bags or boxes bearing the name of loved ones filled with sand and a candle that line the track at each Relay For Life, and are lit at nightfall during a candlelight vigil in memory of those who have died from cancer.

The service also honors cancer survivors and caregivers.

“Luminarias symbolize the light of hope breaking through the darkness of cancer. That hope is so important in our fight to eliminate cancer,” says Pat Deuschle, Relay For Life Community Executive, American Cancer Society, New England Division.

Another new partner for the Relay this year is Chem-pals, headed up by Newtowner and cancer survivor Kathleen Cole. She will be on hand with opportunities for participants and visitors to drop off or create cards for those undergoing treatment at Danbury Hospital’s Praxair Cancer Center.

“Cards can be handmade or store bought,” Ms Cole said.

Throughout the event, MC duties and music will be handled by DJ Rodd Blessey.

Ms Sandler said that more than ever, the 2010 Relay For Life has something for everyone in the community, and she hopes that a lot of first-timers come out for the opening and post-opening activities.

“I am still surprised that people in the community think Relay For Life is an athletic event,” Ms Sandler said. “It is not — it is an overnight celebration of life. Teams do take turns walking the track to symbolize the battle against cancer that for those facing cancer must fight 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

But, she added, “At the event we celebrate, remember, and fight back against cancer by raising funds for the American Cancer Society to find a cure.

“I wanted to thank the entire community for coming together to fight cancer,” Ms Sandler said. “The town, local businesses, and residents all work together to make it possible. I know it means a lot to cancer survivors to feel the love of the community and know they are not alone.”

All the event details and information including a full schedule of activities is available on line at relayforlife.org/newtownct.