Cancer Survivor Shines At Relay Kickoff

“My life is just beginning,” proclaimed Diana Paproski with a bright smile and hopeful twinkle in her eye.

Ms Paproski, among other cancer survivors, cancer advocates and community members attended the local Relay For Life Annual Kickoff Wednesday evening February 1.

“Hope Around the World” is this year’s Relay For Life theme, embracing the vision of awareness, dedication and passion to end the disease of cancer not just locally, but globally as well.  The 2006 event is set for June 10–11 at the Newtown High School Track.

“I’m always very grateful for the strides the American Cancer Society has taken,” Ms Paproski related to the captivated audience. After 18 months, she is back teaching, and said she is happy and healthy.

“I’m an educator, so research is so important,” Ms Paproski said, stressing the importance of research on disease while highlighting how far the American Cancer Society has come in the past few years in supporting successful research programs.

Newtown joins with thousands of other communities each year in holding its Relay For Life, an overnight event during which teams walk to raise money for cancer research. In the weeks leading up to the event, as well as during the inspiring activity, participants work to raise awareness of the disease and how the ACS is making a difference its fight to save lives.

“This truly is a community event,” said Helen Benson, co-chair of the 2006 Relay. “We want everyone involved.”

“Our goal is to paint the whole town purple,” said Dawn Escoda, as she announced the newest Relay For Life fundraiser entitled, “Paint the Town Purple,” in which purple ribbons will be sold throughout town. The ribbons are to be displayed on mailboxes, front doors, or wherever visible to show community support. 

Ribbons can be purchased from participating teams and their members.

The night began with the pronouncement of this year’s honorary chair, George Arfaras. Mr Arfaras was selected because like many in our community, he was a caregiver to a loved one going through cancer many years ago.  

This year’s honorary chair was also dedicated to last year’s event, raising $2,500 through the Lions Club car raffle. The kickoff also included a beautiful luminary ceremony both in memoriam and honoring survivors.

Other activities held during the relay included a scavenger hunt, a book sale, an open mic showcase, face painting, contests at individual team booths, and a raffle. Many community and regional businesses helped with donations including Coach’s Deli, which sponsored and catered the dinner, and Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages sponsored the drinks.

The evening was full of hope and anticipation for this year’s event, as well. The 2006 goal is $350,000, with volunteers already motivated about surpassing last year’s total of more than $280,000.

Everyone in the community is invited to participate and/or donate any amount of time they can, said Ms Benson.  Whether it is an hour as a “day of” volunteer, or as part of a committee, Newtown residents, especially those touched in some way by cancer, are encouraged to come to relay organizational meetings and sign on, she added. Anyone who cannot make a meeting should let the committee know their interest via email at relayforlifeofnewtown@yahoo.com or by calling 426-3782. 

Any individual, school, service group, hose of worship, organization, or business interested in starting a team or joining a team should visit the local website to register at www.acsevents.org/relay/ctnewtown.

On June 10, a Survivor Reception will be held to honor survivors and their caregivers. Residents are asked to submit their names and addresss or the names of someone they know who would like to attend, to following:  RFL of Newtown, PO Box 831, Newtown CT  06470.

 The next meeting, which is open to anyone interested in learning more, will be held March 8 in the Newtown High School Lecture Hall at 7 pm.