Residents of the Tri-Town were invited to participate in the annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life at the ORRHS track, from Friday, June 8 to Saturday, June 9. The popular fundraiser for cancer research attracted over 100 local people, organized into several teams that walked the track from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning.
“It’s supposed to signify someone going through treatment,” said Heather M. Ruel. She is the chair of the relay and a breast cancer survivor, who was diagnosed when she was 38 years old.
The idea is that you start off with a great amount of energy and enthusiasm, similar to many cancer patients upon beginning treatment, but as you walk laps all night, you begin to feel tired and sore, but must keep on the journey, remaining resolute in the face of the hardship.
Among the teams was one comprised of members of the Mattapoisett Firefighters Association, who also had a booth with information for guests and grilled up burgers and fries for the participants. This was their first year participating in the Relay for Life.
“Last year we lost a member to cancer, and we have another member now who is now a survivor,” said Mattapoisett Firefighters Association president Jordan Collyer. “It’s touched every body on our team. We started trying to figure out everybody we knew who had had cancer and we stopped counting at a certain point.”
There was plenty to do for those who were there in support but not walking the track. The Relay for Life had a DJ, offered face painting, and had someone performing reiki massage. Camping tents were scattered around the center grass of the track, for those participants who may need a power nap here and there. On one end of the turf, several kids threw a Frisbee and played catch.
On another part of the field was the home tent of Team “Close the Book on Cancer.” Former Sippican School librarian Marie Pimental was the head of that team.
“[Our team] is a group of educators from the district. Many of us are survivors. I, myself, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 16 years ago. On our team of 18, seven of us are survivors. We have been very involved in fundraising for the last 16 years, knowing how critical it is to amass funds for research. And that’s the reason why we’re here,” she said.
The Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s single biggest fundraiser and has always been a success in the Tri-Town. Last year, they raised $83,535, exceeding their goal of $67,000. About eighty-four cents of every dollar raised goes directly to fund cutting edge cancer research.
By Eric Tripoli
