Cara Spilsbury
June 05, 2007 01:49 pm
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TOPSFIELD | On June 15, local cancer survivors will don purple shirts and walk a triumphant lap on the grounds of the North Shore Technical High School in Middleton, marking the kick-off of the first time a Relay for Life will be held here.
The relay, which benefits the American Cancer Society, consists of teams of friends, families, neighbors or co-workers. During the 15-hour event, at least one person from every team will be walking or running the course. Participants circle at their own pace, fulfilling the pledges and donations they recieved in anticipation for their efforts.
But the event offers more than just exercise. Participants are serious about the cause but are welcome to have a little fun with their community; the Relay for Life national organizers tout their event as an upbeat one with a carnival-like atmosphere.
So far, the Tri-town relay has 15 teams registered and has raised more than $16,000, but organizers hope that more residents will join the fun. Their goal is to have 30 teams participating by the start of the event and 200 people attending.
"It's a hard time because there are a lot of demands on people for donations," said Relay volunteer Joan Greenaway of Topsfield. "If everybody just donates $5 or $10, that would make a huge difference. We need to spread education and get our kids to be aware of the things that can prevent cancer."
But as important as raising money for the ACS is, the biggest goal for Greenaway and her family and friends is to bring everyone together in support of a worthy cause.
"Every family has been touched by cancer in some way," she said.
Greenaway knows firsthand how important a support system can be. She was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago in July.
Although the Relay for Life planning has been a bit overwhelming, she said it has been worth the hard work.
"As somebody that's gone through cancer treatments, I can really appreciate what it feels like, and there needs to be more support," said the registered nurse. "When I was asked to help I felt well, I can. so I will."
The Relay for Life has turned into a family affair for Greenaway. Her 11-year-old daughter, Fiona, has joined a team with her old Brownie Troop | captained by Kristen Gillespie | called Team Busy Bees. Joan's 16-year-old daughter, Hannah, is leading the Best Buddies team from Masconomet Regional High School, which has been aided by Masco teacher Andrea Barlow.
Team Best Buddies is holding a raffle for their main fundraiser. For $3 each or two for $5, donors are entered to win two tickets to the Northshore Music Theater's performance of "High School Musical" on July 20. The tickets are valued at $60 each. The Busy Bees team is in charge of selling luminarias for their fundraiser. Each sells for $10.
The Greenaway girls are excited to participate in the Relay.
"It's a fun thing to get together with all your friends to play games and just hang out," said Hannah, a sophomore.
"And an excuse to stay up all night," joked her mother.
Shana Horak, an organizer from the American Cancer Society, got the ball rolling for the Relay for Life in Middleton, Topsfield and Boxford.
"We have 80 events in Massachusetts alone, but none in the Tri-Towns," she said. "We were looking for new places and it seemed like the ideal place for Relay."
Two moving moments highlight the event: the survivor lap and the lighting of luminarias. Survivors are asked to walk the first lap to start each event. They wear the color purple, the official color of cancer support. Then at 9 p.m., tealight candles inside white paper bags are lit. The luminarias, decorated in memory of a victim of cancer or in support of a survivor or patient, illuminate the venue as a poignant reminder of the widespread affect of the disease and the hope that still exists.
How to Donate
Visit www.acsevents.org/relay/MATriTown to donate online. Click on a team or a participant.
Purchase luminarias from Team Busy Bees or at Gil's Grocery. Gil's will also have registration information and donation envelopes.
How to Participate
Register online at www.acsevents.org/relay/MATriTown.
Contact Shana Horak at 781-314-2677 or shana.horak@cancer.org, or Joan Greenaway at joangreenaway@comcast.net.
Show up on the day of the event at 3:30 p.m. to register.
You must pay $10 to be a registered participant.
Relay for Life Wishlist:
More volunteers to help set up, register participants and take down the event.
Entertainers, like musicians, DJs, singers or dancers for the event.
Food donations for participants and for the survivor dinner.
Enough luminarias bought to cover the circumference of the venue.
Names of local cancer survivors so organizers can call and invite them to come participate in the survivor lap and complimentary dinner.
Healthy snacks.
rce cream.
Cases of bottled water and other drinks.
Bags of ice.
Chaperones for the younger participants.
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