It appears that enthusiasm for hosting an annual Relay for Life in Newtown has run its course.

For only the second time since the community began holding the large scale fund and awareness raising event to benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS) more than a decade-and-a-half ago, Newtown will not be hosting a community Relay for life.

State officials for the national nonprofit announced that only four regional towns would be putting on Relays in 2019, as well as one college.

According to a release, Newtown residents who feel strongly about participating in one or more Relays for Life should consider uniting with the American Cancer Society to raise funds and awareness to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer at one or more of the other confirmed sites.

With an estimated 21,950 new cancer cases in the state of Connecticut in 2019, local residents can team with others from across Fairfield and New Haven counties to help attack cancer through planning, fundraising, set up, promotion and marketing, securing sponsors, organizing a cancer survivor reception, planning opening ceremonies, event logistics, security and entertainment.

“Whether you can offer a few hours or can help throughout the spring, the American Cancer Society has a role for you to become involved in this community movement,” said Kaitlin Chieco, senior manager of Community Development for the American Cancer Society.

In addition to volunteer opportunities supporting Relay For Life, the Society welcomes volunteers interested in helping patient support programs at local hospitals, driving patients to treatment when they cannot drive themselves, supporting the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movements, plus other service roles.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, call 800-227-2345.

Communities Uniting

Around the country, more than 3,500 communities come together to Relay For Life. For anyone who works or lives in the region, ACS welcomes participants to join in the fight against cancer locally.

“Relay For Life events rely on individuals willing to lead, manage, and implement the cancer fighting mission,” said Ms Chieco. “We are so grateful to our incredibly dedicated volunteers and welcome anyone who may want to join us.”

On Saturdays, June 1 and June 8, communities will be celebrating cancer patients in treatment and beyond; remembering those lost to cancer; and fighting back against cancer at locations in Fairfield, greater Danbury, Shelton (Naugatuck Valley), and New Fairfield.

On March 29, students and staff at Fairfield University will unite to join in the Relay tradition on campus.

On June 1, a Naugatuck Valley Relay is being held at Shelton Riverwalk 118 Canal Street; at New Fairfield High School, 56 Gillotti Road; and at Bethel High School, 300 Whittlesey Drive.

On June 8, a Relay For Life is planned for Fairfield Ludlowe High School, 785 Unquowa Road in Fairfield.

Students, staff, and alumni are invited to join in campus Relay activities at the Relay For Life of Fairfield University on March 29.

Founded by Dr Gordy Klatt in Washington in 1985, the Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to save lives from cancer.

“Uniting communities across the globe, we celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action for lifesaving change,” said Patti Lestrange Mack, communications director, American Cancer Society. “During Relay For Life events, members of each team take turns walking around the track or path. Teams participate in fundraising in the months leading up to the event.”

Last year, 2 million participants in the US raised more than $230 million at more than 3,500 events worldwide to help the American Cancer Society attack cancer in dozens of ways, each of them critical to achieving a world without cancer — from developing breakthrough therapies to building supportive communities, from providing empowering resources to deploying activists to raise awareness.

Funds raised support the American Cancer Society 24/7 cancer helpline and free rides to chemo. Join or donate to the Relay For Life movement by visiting relayforlife.org or calling 800-227-2345.