The 11th annual Relay For Life event kicked off at the VFW Post 502 Wednesday night with inspiring words and its own luminary ceremony.
Herkimer Central School District Superintendent Carol Zygo said as an educator, one of the most rewarding things is to see that “light bulb” go off when a student finally understands something. She said she hopes the same thing will happen for this year’s participants.
“We hope your ‘light bulb’ moment will come when you learn what this event is all about,” she said.
The event will step-off at noon on June 12 at the Herkimer School District Athletic complex and will run for 24 hours. Opening lap will be walked by survivors and their caretakers. Stephanie Boucher, director of special events for the American Cancer Society Eastern Division, said they hope to have between 60 and 65 teams participating this year with an “Arrest Cancer” theme.
“We want to throw cancer in jail,” she said.
Some changes this year include a new, temporary location in Herkimer. The event is normally held at the Ilion Jr./Sr. High School track, but will be undergoing construction for the next two years. Boucher said Zygo and the Herkimer school district was eager to participate. She thanked both Zygo and Ilion Central School District Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra for their leadership with the event.
Also, this will be the first year for a relay event in Dolgeville. Boucher said that means some teams will be participating there instead this year since it is an easier location for them to reach. Their kick-off will be March 18.
There will be Team Theme Laps this year, where teams will get to choose a theme and coordinate the lap and hand out prizes. The luminary bag decorating contest will also be held and also the midnight BINGO.
This year, Boucher recognized Deb Rowe for her team’s 10th year of participating. Boucher said she admired Rowe’s “tenacity” for participating even amid her own struggles.
Barry Depot was recognized as the Hero of Hope and spoke about his own experience with cancer. He was diagnosed with leukemia at 30 and thought his time was limited. He is now 43 and his cancer has been in remission since June 2009.
At one point, lights were dimmed and people were asked to walk around the luminaries in the center of the room to the tune of Patti LaBelle’s “Way Up There.” The luminaries had a soft, neon purple glow as people huddled with loved ones as they walked.
“The luminaries are to remember those who died,” said Maryel Wallace, the Luminary Chair. She said it’s for those who “burns brightest in our hearts and our souls.”
Sponsors for this year’s event are the Bassett Cancer Institute, Little Falls Hospital and Medical Staff, Wal-Mart, The Evening Telegram and The Little Falls Evening Times. Media sponsors are Oldies 96, a part of the Regent Radio Group, WUTR, WPNY and Fox 33 from the Nexstar Group in Utica.
Those interested in forming a team can go to the Relay for Life Web site at www.relayforlife.org.
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The 11th annual Relay For Life event kicked off at the VFW Post 502 Wednesday night with inspiring words and its own luminary ceremony.
Herkimer Central School District Superintendent Carol Zygo said as an educator, one of the most rewarding things is to see that “light bulb” go off when a student finally understands something. She said she hopes the same thing will happen for this year’s participants.
“We hope your ‘light bulb’ moment will come when you learn what this event is all about,” she said.
The event will step-off at noon on June 12 at the Herkimer School District Athletic complex and will run for 24 hours. Opening lap will be walked by survivors and their caretakers. Stephanie Boucher, director of special events for the American Cancer Society Eastern Division, said they hope to have between 60 and 65 teams participating this year with an “Arrest Cancer” theme.
“We want to throw cancer in jail,” she said.
Some changes this year include a new, temporary location in Herkimer. The event is normally held at the Ilion Jr./Sr. High School track, but will be undergoing construction for the next two years. Boucher said Zygo and the Herkimer school district was eager to participate. She thanked both Zygo and Ilion Central School District Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra for their leadership with the event.
Also, this will be the first year for a relay event in Dolgeville. Boucher said that means some teams will be participating there instead this year since it is an easier location for them to reach. Their kick-off will be March 18.
There will be Team Theme Laps this year, where teams will get to choose a theme and coordinate the lap and hand out prizes. The luminary bag decorating contest will also be held and also the midnight BINGO.
This year, Boucher recognized Deb Rowe for her team’s 10th year of participating. Boucher said she admired Rowe’s “tenacity” for participating even amid her own struggles.
Barry Depot was recognized as the Hero of Hope and spoke about his own experience with cancer. He was diagnosed with leukemia at 30 and thought his time was limited. He is now 43 and his cancer has been in remission since June 2009.
At one point, lights were dimmed and people were asked to walk around the luminaries in the center of the room to the tune of Patti LaBelle’s “Way Up There.” The luminaries had a soft, neon purple glow as people huddled with loved ones as they walked.
“The luminaries are to remember those who died,” said Maryel Wallace, the Luminary Chair. She said it’s for those who “burns brightest in our hearts and our souls.”
Sponsors for this year’s event are the Bassett Cancer Institute, Little Falls Hospital and Medical Staff, Wal-Mart, The Evening Telegram and The Little Falls Evening Times. Media sponsors are Oldies 96, a part of the Regent Radio Group, WUTR, WPNY and Fox 33 from the Nexstar Group in Utica.
Those interested in forming a team can go to the Relay for Life Web site at www.relayforlife.org.
