Working Together To Find A Cure

To the Editor:

I want to thank the Newtown community for your support of Relay For Life that raises money for the American Cancer Society. The Relay would not be possible without the support from the Newtown Youth Academy, the Town of Newtown, Parks and Recreation, the Fairfield Hills Authority, Nanavaty, Nanavaty, & Davenport, Credit Suisse, Newtown Lions Club, Morgan Stanley, RML, Inc, Newtown Saving Bank, and Cannan Group.

Thank you to all the Relay teams who diligently raised money for the cause all year long by doing everything from organizing tag sales and car washes to fashion shows and wine tastings. Over $100,000 was raised online before the relay began on Saturday. And special thanks to the top team, Las Mamacitas, who raised over $23,000, just about a quarter of all money raised online!

Thanks to honorary chairs Betty Presnell (who celebrates one year of survivorship) and Sam Smith (who celebrates 20 years of survivorship) who inspired us with the stories of their personal journeys and their courageous spirit. You will have a special place in our hearts forever.

Lastly, thanks to all the committee members and volunteers who work all year long to make the event happen. I know that together we are making a difference. One in three people will hear the words, “You have cancer.” Inevitably someone we love will hear these words and our lives will be forever changed, which is why it is so important that we work together to find a cure and support survivors.

It has been my honor to work as the chair of Relay For Life for the past two years. I Relay to celebrate the life of my mother, diagnosed with cancer 23 years ago, and remember my father-in-law, who lost his battle with cancer 21 years ago, and to fight back against cancer for my children. Thanks to everyone who has joined me in this fight. I pray that one day a cure will be found.

Addie Sandler

4 Far Horizon, Sandy Hook                                                June 8, 2011