Due to the two-day storm that hit Newtown February 1-2, the kickoff party originally scheduled for February 3 has been postponed to Thursday, March 3. It will still begin at 7 pm in the Newtown Middle School cafeteria.

Relay Co-Chair Addie Sandler is hoping many residents will turn out for cake, an opportunity to meet the 2011 Honorary Chairs, and hear about a number of new developments with the event, which will take place June 4-5 at Fairfield Hills. (This is the correct date for the 2011 event. The first preview for the Kickoff event incorrectly listed the date as June 11-12.)

Ms Sandler’s co-chair for the 2011 event is Michelle Babyak.

During the kickoff, Ms Sandler will also conduct an official “meet and greet” for Newtown’s brand-new American Cancer Society liaison, Debbie Colgan.

The event will also unveil what Ms Sandler described as a “weather-proof contingency” after severe storms forced an evacuation of last year’s event. Plans are in the final stages to relocate Relay walkers to an indoor location where they can pick up where they left off on the track, in the event of another threatening weather incident.

There will also be news of new relay participant and team recognition programs with the American Cancer Society.

Above all, Ms Sandler stressed that in 2011, she wants to ensure all local residents realize that the Relay For Life is not a race or sporting event, but more of a community rally “where anyone touched by cancer, any family member, survivor or caregiver can come and celebrate life, and support those engaged in the fight.”

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an event that gives everyone in communities around the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. In 2010, 54 Newtown teams, encompassing more than 560 members, helped raise $226,000 for ACS.

At Newtown’s Relay, teams camp out at Fairfield Hills and take turns walking or running around a track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

While Newtown’s event runs overnight, it is a 12-hour activity. Ms Sandler said residents can learn more about the upcoming event, and follow activities and related news, at either the local website or the Newtown Relay Facebook page.

Anyone who wants to get involved is welcome to attend any or all of the other scheduled relay meetings if they have to miss the kickoff. Informational meetings will continue Thursdays, April 7, and May 5, with a wrap-up meeting on June 9, a few days ahead of the main event.

To keep up to date on all the Newtown-related Relay activities, visit www.relayforlife.org/newtownct. Anyone with specific questions may contact Ms Babyak at 203-270-6265.