Mr Ayles has inspired children for years as a volunteer basketball coach, evidence that he always puts others first, but when diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2008, he feared that his life as he knew it was coming to an end.

“I was even more stunned when I was told I may only have three to five years to live,” Mr Ayles recalled. The news of his diagnosis came after he blacked out during a routine delivery of home heating oil in Fairfield.

“Initially the situation was confusing as I was diagnosed with a minor stroke; however, after three medical opinions it was confirmed that I had a tumor in my brain with aggressive cancer cells,” he said. “I was in shock, but fortunately my wife, Jen, was by my side.”

Ken and Jen decided that he would undergo treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. There, a nationally recognized, multidisciplinary team of neurology and oncology experts collaborated to develop the most appropriate treatment plan for him.

“Thank goodness Jen was there,” Mr Ayles said. “She encouraged me to get multiple opinions for our children and really helped me stay focused on what the doctors were saying.”

On the recommendation of the multidisciplinary team, he chose a 36-day external beam radiation treatment plan for his brain cancer, which began in October 2008. On the advice of his doctor, Mr Ayles took a leave of absence from his job delivering home heating oil and was told he could no longer drive.

“Hearing that news caused me to go into a depression,” he said. “I had no clue how I was going to provide for my family.”

Mr Ayles followed his radiation treatment with chemotherapy, which ended on Memorial Day weekend. He believes the Newtown community is helping him to stay upbeat and is helping him through the cancer struggle.

“I may have wanted to get depressed during all this, but no one would let me, especially Sally Socci who calls me daily to see how I am doing,” he said.

“We were astounded at how many people have come forward to help us out and are so grateful to them,” said Jen Ayles. “Our neighbors at Quarry Ridge found creative ways to raise money and allowed us to realize our dream of a family vacation.”

“Over the last six months the Relay For Life of Newtown, an American Cancer Society-sponsored event, has also become a major part of our lives,” Mr Ayles said. “I have had the opportunity to meet other survivors and hear their stories to know that I am not in this fight alone.”

Relay For Life has given Ken and Jen a new-found upbeat spirit.

“We have become competitive with one another to see who can raise more money to fight the cause to eradicate cancer,” Mr Ayles said. To date his team, The Brainstorms, has raised more than $13,000.

“Our hope is that the money raised through this event will help fund cancer research and improve the treatment options that currently exist,” said Jen Ayles.

This year teams of Newtown residents will gather on June 13 at Fairfield Hills for the overnight relay against cancer. Walkers will go around the clock to celebrate, remember, and fight back.

Relay For Life is a family-oriented team event where participants can walk relay-style around a track and take part in fun activities off the track.

“I look forward to sharing my story and inspiration with my fellow cancer survivors at this year’s Relay For Life.” Mr Ayles said. “The Relay For Life of Newtown is a way for my family and I to give back to the community after all they have done for us.”

Auction, Survivors News

Members of the Newtown Relay On-Line Auction Committee remind their friends and neighbors, as well as those living outside the community, that they can still support the 2009 Relay by bidding on items offered through this year’s online auction.

Available items include dining at local restaurants, Mets and Red Sox tickets, travel opportunities for summer vacation, ski lift tickets, a DJ for a party, and golf at local country clubs and destinations such as Pinehurst #2. In addition, several autographed items are on offer, including ones from David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, David Wright, and Lance Armstrong.

You can even bid on a priority parking space for this year’s Relay For Life of Newtown.

The Relay committee also learned this week that Jayna from 98Q will be Newtown’s “on-air personality” at the opening ceremonies, which take place at Fairfield Hills at 5:30 pm June 13. Jayna will be meeting and greeting visitors and participants from 5 to 7 pm, and the 98Q van will be on hand dishing out giveaways.

In addition to participating in the Relay, survivors — that is any individual who has ever been diagnosed with cancer — are being asked to attend and bring their caregivers to the brand-new “Hope Reception” that will take place on National Survivor Day, June 7, from 6 to 9 pm at the new St Rose of Lima Gathering Hall on Church Hill Road. All cancer survivors and their caregivers are invited to enjoy an evening of dining, music, and dancing.

Anyone interested in attending the Survivor and Caregiver Hope Reception should send an email to relayforlifeofnewtown@gmail.com to reserve seats. The event is free to all attendees.

More information about the Relay For Life of Newtown is available online at www.relayforlife.org/newtownct or by contacting the Relay Committee at relayforlifeofnewtown@gmail.com.

For additional information, call 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.