Rally Kicks Off Newtown’s Relay For Life

By Kaaren Valenta

More than 100 adults and children filled the Middle School cafeteria Monday evening for the kickoff rally for the town’s first American Cancer Society Relay for Life, an event planned for June 12–13 at the high school.

“It’s amazing the number of people that are here tonight. The community spirit is awesome,” said Aimee Zinser, an organizer from the American Cancer Society’s Western Connecticut chapter.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event. This year Newtown will be among the more than 2,900 towns expected to participate in the overnight event that celebrates survivorship and raises funds for cancer research and programs of the American Cancer Society.

Selectman Joseph Bojnowski, who lost his father to cancer, told the crowd at the kickoff meeting that the entire Board of Selectman is solidly behind the efforts of the volunteers to bring this event to Newtown.

“Anything we can do as a community to raise money is absolutely essential to lick this disease,” he said.

Dr Evan Pitkoff, superintendent of schools, came to the kickoff on his way to a public hearing on the school budget. He said every family has been touched by cancer and his was no exception.

“My family has been hit several times,” he said. “but in the time that I have been in Newtown, I have seen that this is really a special community. I’m sure that the relay will be a very successful event.”

Twelve-year-old Jimmy Zarifis and his parents, Jim and Elizabeth, are the honorary chairmen of the fundraiser. Jimmy had a malignant brain tumor, called a medulloblastoma, removed in September 2002. Shortly after the surgery he became paralyzed on his left side. Months of occupational, physical, and speech therapy followed. He now speaks slowly, but clearly, and walks with a walker.

“We went to the high school track to walk recently but Jimmy was having problems,” his father told the crowd assembled in the cafeteria. “He was moving his left leg and arm together, then his right leg and arm. He couldn’t get the right sequence. Finally he said ‘this is so stupid. I know how to walk. Why do I have to learn to do this again?’”

Together they tried to work through his frustration.

“I helped him swing his arms with his steps, and suddenly he said ‘I can do this,’” Jim Zarifis said.

“Jimmy has a goal to play baseball again. We all have a commitment to make a difference this year.”

The Relay for Life is an event for people of all ages and levels of fitness. It is open to everyone in the community. Anyone can gather a team of friends, family, or fellow workers.

At the relay, teams of ten or more participants take turns to keep their baton moving around the track overnight, while others create a festive atmosphere with entertainment, camping out, and prizes. Highlights of the relay include the first-lap Cancer Survivors Walk and a candlelight ceremony at dusk.

Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that someday cancer will be eliminated.

Ivette Gerics and Dawn Escoda are the co-chairmen for the event. Ms Gerics introduced her father Flavio Manduley of Woodbury, who has been battling cancer for more than a decade.

 “I always wanted to get involved with the American Cancer Society but something always came up,” Ms Gerics said. “When my father was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 11 years ago, I knew I needed to channel my anger to something positive. I called the American Cancer Society and asked them to give me something to do that no one wants. For the next eight years I did the Daffodil Days drive.

“Since I have lived in Newtown I have heard of a lot of people, including children and young adults, who are getting diagnosed with cancer. I thought it was time to do something more and this is the year to do it,” she said.

Relay for Life committee chairs include Diane Lavin, corporate partnership; Beckett and Ken Condon, Guy and Lynda Russo, logistics; Terri Greenfield, team recruitment; Helen Benson, registration; Mary Marinaccio, public relations; Alice Mascher, luminaria; Lisa LaForte, cancer control; Maryann and Brittany Ziman, entertainment/activities; Barb Baldino, Peg Redmond, Kathy Albano – survivorship.

 A chairperson still is needed to organize the volunteers on the day of the event. Anyone who has questions about how to help can contact Ms Escoda at 270-7541 or Ms Gerics at 426-3589.

A fundraising coffee sponsored by Barbara Poeltl and Alice Baye will be held from 9 am to 11 am on Tuesday, March 30, at Mrs Poeltl’s home on Bentagrass Road. Admission is a $5 donation. There will be coffee and bagels from Bagel Delite. Call 270-9738 or 270-7346 for more information.