Relay For Life

Raises $170,000 For Cancer Society Programs, Research

By Kendra Bobowick & John Voket

Near perfect weather combined with enthusiastic, inspired participation from dozens of cancer survivors, more than 400 volunteers, and nearly 500 other community members to make the 2011 Relay For Life one for the record books, according to event Co-Chair Michelle Babyak.

Preceded by a special “Kids for the Cure” mini-relay and awareness activity exclusively for Newtown’s youngsters, the main event kicked off with a number of songs performed by local singer/songwriter Daria Musk, who led the audience in an enthusiastic cover of the pop music hit “I’m a Survivor,” as relay Co-Chairs Addie Sandler and Ms Babyak welcomed the crowd.

Ms Sandler addressed those gathered for the opening ceremony, saying, “Please stand if you are celebrating 20 years of survivorship … 15 … 10 years … or one day …” Gradually much of the crowd stood as she said, “We salute you.”

 She told the crowd, “The [Relay’s] success is not about money, but about the hope we have created,” and representing those who are “just beginning their cancer survivorship” to those like honorary chair Sam Smith, who is a 20-year survivor.

Newtown High School Senior Katie Cummings led the audience in the national anthem just before Honorary Co-Chairs Betty Presnell and Sam Smith were introduced.

With a brief speech prepared, Mr Smith stepped before a crowd and raised a hand asking for his “buddy,” son Sam Smith, Jr, to come stand with him. Mr Smith said, “It’s my honor to take you back to the summer of 1991…” Just out of high school, Mr Smith was working and living life without a worry, until “it all took a radical change.” As one of two honorary chairs during the 2011 Newtown Relay For Life that filled a portion of Fairfield Hills during opening ceremonies June 4, he told the story of his diagnosis and survival.

He said, “With fatigue and a cough, I went to the doctor…” In minutes, his life changed. His sister would soon drive him to the hospital where he began to “grapple with the fact” that he had ALL — acute lymphocytic leukemia. He remembers a doctor telling him, “Attitude beats cancer, [chemotherapy] just helps.”

During his months in the hospital, he “hit the wall of the chemo blues,” he recalled. “My angel came — a nurse.” After pausing to steady his voice, he said, “There are reasons for every event in our lives — I married my angel, Lisa.”

Looking at the podium and pausing again, he said to his son, “I need help, buddy…” Sam Jr began to read his father’s statements: “We have preconceived notions of what cancer looks like; I want to change the stereotypes — I am what a survivor looks like.”

Earlier on Saturday, Sam Jr waved a Relay flag that would be carried throughout the night as supporters walked laps at the Fairfield Hills grounds. Others prepared their banners and teams for the opening lap led by Mr Smith and other survivors who held the Relay For Life banner stretched across the track just paces behind the Knights of Columbus, St Rose of Lima Assembly.

As the lead lap rounded the makeshift track lined with luminaria, the survivors and supporters passed the many booth and teams set up along the route. Waving to participants were Giggles for a Cure team members Amy Martinelli and Casey Demers.

Soon passing the girls were Kids For A Cure banner carriers Kyle Mockovak, Timmy, McCarthy, and Ally McCarthy. Carrying a Sandy Hook School banner around the track were Hannah Groonell, Kaley Meisenheimer, and Catie Gregory.

Keeping together during the ceremony were friends Jenna Bonaccorso, Caitlin O’Mahoney, Molly Sheluck, and Megan Gibbons. Representing Wings Of Hope Teams one and two were revelers Kathy Holick and Karen Skiba.

Ms Babyak, who will take over as chair for the 2012 Relay, acknowledged the growing bank of donations as well as the energy of participants and supporters, saying, “We know not where the answers will come from, but we will find that cure. Together we can make a difference.” In an e-mail to participants following the close of activities, Ms Babyak said that the survivors’ “stories and spirits are what set the mood and kept it going all night/morning long. Thank you for opening your hearts and letting Newtown in! You can’t imaging how many people you have inspired and will continue to inspire.”

The rest of the event was marked by a combination of hijinks, like the hotly contested Miss Relay contest, which alone raised more than $900 in about a half-hour’s time, and the emotional Luminaria Ceremony marked by the creation of the word “HOPE” outlined by the flickering lanterns at the center of the Relay track.

This year’s event also was held at a new location, which served as an ideal site nestled between the Newtown Municipal Center and the Newtown Youth Academy at Fairfield Hills. The NYA also served as the event’s host, providing a venue for the survivors lounge, hosting multiple indoor fitness activities, two late-night religious services, and providing a backup for the event to continue if bad weather presented.

“This is my eighth Relay here in town and I can say it was my favorite,” Ms Babyak said. “The NYA was the perfect venue and we are so lucky to have been given the opportunity to hold our Relay there.”

Ms Sandler told The Newtown Bee that she anticipates the event will provide in excess of $170,000, with some last minute and post-event pledges yet to be counted.

Kyle Lyddy, who helped coordinate between the Relay leadership and the NYA, said he was amazed and gratified by the community’s participation.

“My dad passed away of colon cancer when I was a sophomore at UConn — a life-altering event,” Mr Lyddy said in an e-mail message. “It is events like Relay, however, that allows me to reflect on his life and it brings great gratitude to me that we may be able to save my life or down the [road], my own kids’ lives!”

After working her first Relay in Newtown and her second relay since joining the American Cancer Society, Debbie Colgan described Newtown as an “amazing community which showed me that a small group of dedicated people can truly change this disease.”

“I am in awe of all your dedication and hard work, and to top it all off had the most amazing time,” Ms Colgan said. “And as many of you know it was only my second Relay, and Newtown totally showed me how wonderful it can really be.”