Relay For Life Meeting

Set For May 10

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Newtown committee will hold a meeting on May 10 at 6 pm at the Newtown Middle School to share with residents the importance of Relay For Life in saving lives from cancer.

Relay For Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society, held throughout the country each year.

Team registration will begin at 6 pm. All team captains must attend the meeting that will follow at 6:30 pm because it is the last meeting before the relay.

“Pull an All Nighter — one that you can feel really great about in the morning,” said Mary Marinaccio, local public relations chairperson for the relay. The relay is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

“Relay For Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser,” said Dawn Escoda, Newtown Relay for Life co-chairperson. “Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event as a volunteer or participant have made a commitment to fight back against this disease and let the community know that you can beat cancer.”

Teams of eight to 15 members will gather with tents and sleeping bags to join with 4,200 communities nationwide that sponsor relays. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, and churches. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the relay, all with the goal of eliminating cancer.

Volunteers are still needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment, and lend their support in any way.

For more information on the May 10 meeting, or to volunteer on the Relay For Life committee, contact Dawn Escoda at 270-7541 or Ivette Gerics at 426-3589.

For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.cancer.org.  

A complimentary dinner, reception, and ceremony will be held for cancer survivors and caregivers beginning at 5 pm on June 12. The dinner will be followed by a symbolic walk around the track, then dessert and coffee. A luminaria ceremony will be held at 9 pm. Entertainment will be provided by MaryBeth and Gary Sippin. There will be door prizes, tee-shirts and gifts. Reservations are required. Call Barbara Baldino, 270-1049; Shane Miller, 364-1029; Peg Redmond, 426-3937, or email relaysurvivor@yahoo.com for information and reservations.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.