NORWICH – Over 750 family members, friends, co-workers, county residents and cancer survivors will gather this weekend for the 14th Annual Chenango Relay For Life, in remembrance of those who’ve been lost, in celebration of those who’ve survived and in support of those who continue to battle cancer.
The annual American Cancer Society fundraiser, held in numerous communities throughout the country, has raised over $100,000 locally toward cancer research and awareness in the last few years, according to Chenango Relay For Life Event Chair Marie DeSarro, who reported a goal of $150,000 this year.
“It seems like, anymore, everyone is touched by cancer in one way or another,” stated DeSarro. “Whether it be a survivor talking about their treatments and numerous doctors appointments or a caregiver who watched their loved one go through the treatments, the pain and suffering, or in the worst case, seeing a loved one battle and pass from the disease.”
DeSarro said it’s even more difficult in a small community like Chenango, due to the fact there are “even more connections to one another,” which led the Chenango Relay For Life committee to a decision to hold a special dedication during the opening ceremony and luminary ceremony, at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. respectively, honoring “someone from the community who we’ve lost.”
A short reading dedicated to the individual will be delivered at each ceremony, and DeSarro said the hope is to “put a personal touch on our event” and to honor all the people “who were loved and are now very much missed by family, friends and community members.”
It’s all about finding the “emotion behind the dollars,” she added.
DeSarro also wished to remind Relay For Lifers of the American Cancer Society’s historic third Cancer Prevention Study (CPS-3), to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, which invites men and women between 30 and 65 years of age, with no history of cancer, to help researchers to better identify the lifestyle, environment and genetic factors which cause or prevent cancer, according to relayforlife.org.
