The 2015 Relay For Life event drew survivors, caregivers, and supporters to the Newtown High School Blue & Gold Stadium on Saturday, June 13.

Relay For Life is the world’s largest fundraising event to end cancer, and by walking laps around the track and participating in the event, local supporters did their part to raise money for the cause.

Just after 6 pm on Saturday, survivors and caregivers walked as a group toward the stadium seating for the opening remarks. This year’s Relay, after a decade of successful overnight events, was shorted to run from 3 pm until midnight. This year’s event also had a Dr Seuss theme.

Alyssa Amaturo, community manager for the local Relay For Life, projected that this year’s event will bring in around $80,000 after expenses. Last year the Newtown event brought in around $133,000.

Event Chair Chris Farrington thanked all in attendance during opening remarks, and he said the 2015 Relay For Life event, and events happening across the United States of America and in other countries, “will help us finish the fight.”

Mr Farrington shared a brief history of Relay For Life, saying the first event was held in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., when Dr Gordy Klatt ran and walked to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

In 2013, Mr Farrington said Dr Klatt was diagnosed with stomach cancer, “and he became even more energized to defeat this disease.”

Then, “In 2014, after a courageous battle, Dr Gordy Klatt lost his battle. We honor him tonight, and because of him, and because of all of you, we continue to fight back as a community,” said Mr Farrington.

By walking the stadium’s track on Saturday, Mr Farrington told participants that they were joining forces with more than four million people worldwide “who want to save lives.”

“The next six hours will take us together on a life-affirming journey symbolizing a day in the life of someone fighting cancer, a disease that never sleeps,” Mr Farrington said. “We’ll share both tears and laughter along with plenty of inspiration.”

While gathering together for the event, Mr Farrington said those attending the Relay will support those facing cancer, remember loved ones lost, “and fight together so that one day no one in our community and at our schools will ever hear the words, ‘You have cancer.’”

Newtown’s 2015 Honorary Relay For Life Caregiver was Jack Nahmias and the event’s Honorary Survivor was Lauren Pade. Both spoke during the opening ceremony.

Ms Pade said cancer is only a chapter of her life story.

“It is not who I am, it does not define me, it does not control me, and it does not hold me back. I have overcome, I’m a fighter, I’m a survivor, and I have found strength hope and beauty in my journey,” said Ms Pade, before she shared her chapter’s story.

Ms Pade said she was honored to be standing at the Relay event to speak, “and celebrate, honor, and fight back with those surrounding me.”

Ms Pade was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 21 after her mother insisted she go for her yearly physical check up. Her immediate plans, she said, were changed from summer events to having ultrasounds, thyroid biopsies, a radioactive iodine treatment, numerous exams, and other related appointments.

After saying she was lucky and fortunate to have those who supported her through everything, Ms Pade said she would walk the first lap for Relay with her father, another cancer survivor.

“Thank you for joining me as we come together to celebrate survivorship, remember those we lost, and as we fight back to make a difference in allowing for a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” said Ms Pade.

Mr Nahmias spoke about his experiences as a caregiver to his wife Debbie Nahmias, who was first diagnosed in 2002 with angiosarcoma.

For roughly a decade Debbie fought and finally lost her battle, but throughout it Mr Nahmias said Debbie approached cancer the way she approached everything else in life; with a tough and positive attitude.

“I cannot begin to tell you the ridiculous amount of support we got while Debbie was sick,” said Mr Nahmias.

His children had rides to events when they needed them, one friend organized food through a website for the family, many trips and travels were gifts courtesy of friends and relatives, and many in the Newtown community supported the Nahmias family.

Mr Nahmias said he never felt alone.

Things that helped him, Mr Nahmias said, included speaking to family and friends, and making time to relax.

The Relay For Life walk began with a cancer survivors and caregivers walking the first lap around the stadium track before supporters were asked to join in.

Attendees also participated in a number of other activities throughout the night including a Luminarias Ceremony, a frozen T-shirt contest, and a group line-dance lap. Gregori Lukas sang during the event, and 39 ponytails were trimmed for the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program by A New Beginning, an Aveda Wellness Salon and Day Spa, representatives.

“We could not hold a successful Relay without the support of a number of key sponsors,” Mr Farrington said. “I’d like to thank Presenting Sponsors Canaan Partners, along with Nanavaty, Nanavaty and Davenport; Gold Sponsor Newtown Savings Bank; Silver Sponsors: Lions Club International, Credit Suisse-Christopher L. Herlihy, and Morgan Stanley. Our Bronze Sponsors were IBG Insurance Services, Coretelligent LLC, Realized Solutions, Hog Wild BBQ, Newtown Culinary Arts, The Newtown Bee, Newtown Parks and Recreation, Newtown High School, and Jones Lang Lasalle.

 “Our Relay Signature Sponsors were the Faxon Law Group, Honan Funeral Home, Rowayton Marine Realty LLC, Jenson Tire And Auto, Goodwin Proctor, and SCB International Materials, Inc. Friends of Relay were Jason Rossi With Coretelligent LLC, Newtown Pools, Mason’s Farm, and Reed’s Ginger Brews. And our Community Sponsors were the Town of Newtown, Reed Intermediate School, and Chatfield’s.”