Cancer survivor Deborra Zukowski's hair has grown back in thick, dark curls. She and her husband Charles Zukowski walked the Relay For Life 2016 first survivors' lap Saturday, May 21. Among those also walking that initial lap led by the St Rose of Lima Assembly Knights of Columbus members were past first selectman Joe Borst, former school superintendent John Reed, realtor Beth Caldwell, Legislative Council Chair Mary Ann Jacob, and this year's Honorary Survivor and assistant to the first selectman, Sue Marcinek. Ms Jacob's son, Chris Lafky, was Relay co-chair along with Tracy Holsworth Broomer.

Ms Broomer offered her thanks to the 31 teams participating this year.

"Thank you for all you do, for your enthusiasm and for your dedication to help make the Relay For Life of Newtown such a huge success year after year," she said.

Following the first lap around a walkway between NYA Sports & Fitness Center and Newtown Municipal Center at Fairfield Hills, walkers paused and they and others who had gathered for the event looked toward NYA's balcony. Ms Marcinek stepped out and took the microphone.

Her first Relay was in 2004, Ms Marcinek told the crowd. At the time, her mother was sick and the experience was "rough, but wonderful with so many people coming together for a cause."

By involving herself with the Relay, Ms Marcinek felt she was "doing something more than mourning her mother," she said.

She was also inspired by her friend, Ms Jacob, who several years ago spoke at a Relay For Life event of her cancer battle.

And more recently, Ms Marcinek faced her own fight against breast cancer. She recalled her treatments and a doctor's visit where she "lost dark hair on a white pillow." Later, her son shaved her head.

"It was liberating," she said.

Throughout her cancer treatments, Ms Marcinek said she had a "tremendous support group" through family and friends. "People in this town are wonderful," she said.

Her advice? "Surround yourself with people who are positive," she said. "They'll get you through."

Honorary Caregiver Christina Wolf spoke of the fight her mother lost. In 2014 her mother received a "grim" diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

"I asked, why is this happening to us?" Ms Wolff said. Her mother was "the life of the party," and managed her goal to attend her son's wedding in California in 2015. Her mother was gone just seven months after the diagnosis.

"Being a caregiver is not easy," Ms Wolff said. "But I would do it again if it meant having my mom another month, day, year."

Soon, the crowd listening in the courtyard raised their hands and waved when prompted by Relay organizers on the balcony, and the evening's events continued on the lawn, while walkers completed their laps.

Contributing their efforts this year were groups including Ricci's Salon of Newtown. The Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign collected 11 pony tails to be used to make wigs for cancer patients.

This story has been updated to reflect the correct cancer diagnosis Christina Wolf's mother received.