American Cancer Society Fundraiser—

Hundreds Will Participate In Relay For Life This Weekend

By Kaaren Valenta

After months of preparations by hundreds of volunteers, Newtown’s first Relay For Life will take place this Saturday at the stadium at Newtown High School.

Co-Chair Dawn Escoda said that more than 60 teams have signed up to participate in the American Cancer Society’s overnight event that mobilizes communities to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who did not survive, and raise money for the fight against cancer and to provide patient services.

While the opening ceremonies are set for 7 pm, volunteers will begin arriving at 3 pm to set up team campsites on the field. A reception will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm in the survivor tent to honor the more than 70 cancer survivors who have signed up to participate. The event, Hoedown of Hope, will feature the music of Mary Beth and Gary Sippin.

The Rev Robert Weiss, pastor of St Rose of Lima will give the invocation before the dinner.

Activities for children also will begin at 5 with carnival games and ice cream.  The Blue and Gold concession stand also will be open, with a portion of the sales donated to Relay For Life.

From 6 to 7, the Cancer Control Committee will hold an obstacle course race and a Speedy Sun relay race.

The opening ceremony will feature remarks by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal. Ms Escoda and Co-Chair Ivette Gerics will introduce the committees that are responsible for organizing and conducting the relay. Francis O’Driscoll is scheduled to be the inspirational youth speaker. Members of the Zarifis family of Newtown are the honorary co-chairs. Jimmy Zarifis, 12, had a malignant brain tumor that required surgery and months of ongoing physical therapy.

The first lap around the track will be walked by the survivors. Lap two is the caregivers’ lap. The relay begins for everyone else on lap three. So far 63 teams of eight to 15 walkers have signed up to participate. The teams will keep at least one walker on the field throughout the night.

The band Charisma will play from 7:30 to 11:30 pm.

Activities for children continue from 7:30 to 9 and include face painting by Lynn Welsh and magician Jerry Hornak. Another Speedy Sun relay race will take place from 8 to 8:30. Many of the participating teams of walkers also are setting up fundraising activities at their tents.

The luminaria ceremony at 9 will feature live music, bagpipes, and a slide show presentation prepared by Ed Wolfe and the NHS Technology Club.

Following the slide show will be scary campfire stories, a scavenger hunt, dance contest, movies, midnight aerobics, and — from midnight to 2 am — a Frisbee contest.

A wake-up yoga class will be held at 5 am, followed by a continental breakfast at 6, a demonstration by NHS cheerleaders at 6:30, and closing ceremony at 6:45. The last lap will be walked at 7 am.

“Everyone is invited to come and take part in this event,” Ms Escoda said. “There will be lots of activities.”

Relay For Life began in May 1985 when Dr Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon and avid runner, took the first step of his 24-hour walk/run around a track in Tacoma, Wash. He clocked 83 miles, raising $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society. The following year, 220 supporters on 19 teams joined Dr Klatt in this overnight event, and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life was born.

Over the last 18 years, Relay For Life has spread to 3,800 communities in the United States and eight foreign countries. What began as one man’s statement in the fight against cancer has led to the development of a worldwide event to help banish cancer.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.