Local Residents Raise Thousands of Dollars for the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a 24-hour event that gives people across the globe the chance to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the U.S., along with communities in 20 other countries, take part in Relay for Life to raise funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.

 

On Friday, June 17, beginning at 6 pm 84 Relay teams will gather at the Don Ahern Veterans Stadium on the Bayonne High School campus for the American Cancer Society’s annual fundraising event that will continue overnight and into Saturday. Throughout the event, teams – which have raised more than $84,000 so far, will be walking and/or running the stadium’s track in support of friends and loved ones affected by cancer.

 

Sponsors for the Bayonne Relay for Life are McCabe Ambulance Service, ShopRite of Bayonne, Provident Bank and the City of Bayonne.

 

Celebrate – The Survivors Lap
Relay for Life starts with a Survivors Lap – an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories achieved fighting cancer. The Survivors Lap is an emotional example of how Relay for Life participants are ensuring that more lives are saved each year – like those of each individual on the track. Relay for Life also recognizes and celebrates caregivers, individuals who give their time, love, and support to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers affected by cancer.

 

Remember – The Luminaria Ceremony
After dark, Relay for Life will honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.

 

Fight Back – The Fight Back Ceremony
For the finale, there’s the Fight Back Ceremony, where Relayers make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. That personal commitment may be to do something as simple as getting a cancer screening, quitting smoking or talking to elected officials about cancer issues.

 

At Relay for Life, every step you take helps the American Cancer Society save lives.

 

American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life

Fri, June 17, starting at 6 pm – Sat, June 18, ending at 7 pm

Don Ahern Veterans Stadium

On the Campus of Bayonne High School

667 Avenue “A”

Bayonne, NJ

 

For more info, go to www.relayforlife.org or www.acsevents.org.

For more information about the event and the work of the American Cancer Society, contact Christina Andrascik at (908) 354-7373 Ext. 212.