Relay For Life Surpasses Its Goal And Sets A Record

By Kendra Bobowick

Luminarias lined the track and tents sat in clusters on the high school football field as the 2008 Newtown Relay For Life found hundreds of cancer survivors and supporters waiting for ceremonies to begin on Saturday, June 7.

Once the tents were down and the festivities cleared away. event chair Necole Salvesen released the good news. “The Relay For Life of Newtown has once again broken records, and surpassed its own set goals. United as a community, teams and participants raised approximately $410,000.” Funds will go toward cancer research, education, treatment and programs. “That total, combined with our past relays, have generated over $1.5 million raised,” she noted in a recent release.

Before speakers, including First Selectman Joe Borst, a skin cancer survivor, kicked off the relay, a stroll around the field revealed the neighbors, teachers, gymnastics students, teenagers, hair dressers, etc that have either suffered from cancer or know someone else who has. It was also a time for remembrance.

Kristen and Todd Angell remembered their father and Mary Angell remembered her husband, Ken Angell, who recently died from pancreatic cancer. Much of their efforts in participating in this and prior relays was in honor of and then in memory of Mr Angell.

Many of the survivors shared wise words of their own before stepping onto the track. Breast cancer survivors Kathy Livingston and Jennifer Enger both lost their mothers to cancer. “We’re the first survivors,” said Ms Enger. Ms Livingston answered, “God is good to us.” Prostate cancer survivor John Martell advised, “Keep fighting. They’re always coming out with something new.” With him was Madeline Palmieri, who insisted, “Keep the faith…it works.” Her sister-in-law Nancy Palmieri said something that many of us have heard from friends and doctors: “Get your yearly check-up.”

The first selectman receives checks every six months since having surgery years ago to remove the skin cancer.

While Sand Hook Hair Co. representatives cut hair on the spot to contribute to Pantene Beautiful Lengths program that provides hair and hairpieces for people undergoing cancer treatments, relay teams bustled, supporters mingled or started their laps, school bands performed, and bottled water disappeared by the fistful to ward of the 90-plus degree weather.

Kim Duffy from the Walking For A Silver Lining team knelt down to prepare a luminaria for Bruce Stein, a friend’s father. Just a few feet away Katie Cummings with team Supercalafraga-lipstick held up a sign offering manicures and makeup. Michael Schlesinger peeled off a temporary tattoo he placed on Vanessa Courchene-Roy’s arm. Michael Roche spun a homemade wheel and tried to guess weights, ages, etc. Laetitia Debrantes and Ally Modzelewski took turns making braids in Lyndsey Burns’ hair.

At the top of the stone bleachers, Ashlee Honiker pulled out her trombone before taking the field. Below, carrying a gymnastics mat on their shoulders, were team Vasi members Christie Popp, Meghan Letizia, Rebecca Dutsar, and Sami Arnold. The Fitness Loft owner Cody Foss walked through the crowd, and like him, parents held on to young children captivated by the music, DJ announcements, balloons, and many booths filling the field that evening. Jackson and Cole Harrington even found a bubble machine that amused them for several minutes.

Dressed in full gear were Knights of Columbus members Bob Lamontagne and Brian Liotta, who arrived before the podium where opening speeches soon began. Stepping out of a cart led by the knights was Rose Cranston, who soon found a lawn chair and hugged her daughter, Jean Bremen, a four-year cancer survivor. Walking past and holding balloons was survivor Alice Holmes, while seated in the crowd were even more survivors, including Jody Willis, Lucille Robillard who said she is still “fighting back,” and Nyree Pinto. Hundreds came to the more than 12-hour event that ran from 5 pm Saturday until 5 am Sunday morning with a host of earlier events leading to the main event that began at 3 pm Saturday.

From The Event Chair…

In a letter to The Newtown Bee, Ms Salvesen noted that contributing to the total funds raised are a number of significant participants who raised an impressive $27,000. According to the chair’s letter, “Our first $10K individual, Donna Forshaw, raised her money by various events, functions and by just asking for donations. Beside her, Kelly Blessey, Janelle Graham, and Kristen Angell each raised $5K or more by doing the same. Hats off to these women who made a tremendous impact on our total funds raised!” Also, “We had 74 participants that each raised $1K or more for a combined total of $104,000. Together this group raised 44 percent of total team donations. Congratulations to all participants; every donation, regardless of amount, brings us closer to finding a cure.”

Saturday night saw 68 teams, 990 registered participants, and nearly 4,000 visitors to the event. Guest speakers included Mr Morning from 98Q, First Selectman Joe Borst, as well as honorary chair panel, Jack DeFlumeri, George Arfaras, Ivette Gerics, and Jimmy Zarifis. The Survivor Reception “was a hit” Ms Salvesen stated. “We can’t even begin to thank all our volunteers…We thank everyone who has solicited donations, volunteered or attended the relay; we truly appreciate your efforts and commitment to this cause. Thank you to all of our corporate and local sponsors.”

Any additional donations can be mailed to: PO Box 831, Newtown, CT 06470.