Relay for Life keeps going.
(Mirror Daily, United States) – The Relay For Life continues, this time at Medway Middle School on June 10 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Holliston Street. Every person attends this event for a reason.
Hundreds of people are expected to participate in this event, most of them from Norfolk, Medfield, Millis, and Medway. All the money will go to the American Cancer Society, which will continue their research for a cure and provide medical assistance for patients.
Until now, 359 participants from 29 teams gathered to attend the Relay, raising an impressive amount of $27,396,40. According to Louise Fonteyne, manager for the New England Division of the ACS, the attendance has already exceeded the last year’s event with over 60 people.
A breast cancer survivor confessed that she became a part of the Relay in 2007 when her and a close friend, who sadly lost the fight later, were diagnosed with cancer. Cancer survivors will take a lap around the track during the fundraiser. Candles and paper bags will be available for purchase and will be placed around the track in the honor of those who passed away.
Plus, the theme of the event is “Around the World,” so there will be flags from all over the world during the Relay’s survivor’s dinner. Benedetto, the member of the event’s volunteer committee and Medway resident, has already 14 years since she has started attending the event after her sister had been diagnosed in 2003 with ovarian lymphoma.
Unfortunately, the number of cases has increased since then, according to her. Benedetto is part of the top team, “Cancer Crusaders,” (including her husband) who raised the highest amount of $9,000 out of $15,000 group goal.
According to Fonteyne, besides continuing the research for finding a cure, the American Cancer Society will use the money to develop new programs for patients, especially to tackle the changes that occur in their physical appearance because of the disease or during a strong treatment.
Such a disease like cancer can make you feel powerless, but this Relay For Life night event aims to change this perspective to everyone that suffers from this disease. After all, the real target is to bring people together so that they understand and inspire each other.
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