Rallying at the Relay For Life

The Haddam Killingworth High School track stayed dry for most of the evening on Saturday for the Haddam and Killingworth fifth annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

With over 250 participants and 30 teams walking, running and unicycling their way around the track, the mood was focused, but supportive and fun.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life has been around since 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, decided to run and walk around his local track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

It is currently the world’s largest movement to fight this disease, with over 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities around the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, walking and running to beat cancer.

The money from each event goes directly back to the region in the form of transportation for patients, support groups, summer camps for children with cancer and research at local universities.

Mark Hale, the event chair of the Haddam Killingworth Relay and a cancer survivor himself, recently told Patch the primary reason he participates in the Relay is for hope.

“I have hope for a brighter tomorrow,” said Hale, “that cancer no longer will strike fear into the hearts of men, women, boys and girls.”

There were tent fulls of hope circling the inside of the track, from church groups to girl scout troops, businesses to school groups, and families supporting a loved one.

I ran into Maryanne Lebert, of PCI Medical, whose crowded, popular tent was offering necklaces and bracelets for $3 each, all of which goes directly to the American Cancer Society.

“With every lap a participant makes, they get a free bead for their necklace or bracelet,” explained Lebert.

Dee Link and Mary Arrigoni, senior citizen volunteers, were setting up the many luminaria bags, which in years past were filled with sand to weigh them down but this year were filled with canned goods to be donated to local food pantries.

The luminaria are illuminated white bags that for a donation can be inscribed with the names of people who have battled cancer and are then placed around the track at sunset.

Braden and Nancy Pastore, of The World’s Smallest Quartet, and Brian Caron and Jim Stopa, of SeeQuence, were on stage, musically rallying the troops with their free concert in support of the relay.

“We try to play for functions like this often,” said Braden. “We like doing things for humanity.”

The opening ceremony at 5 p.m. featured Marylin McAlee, who gave the survivor talk, and a survivor’s lap was soon to follow.

A survivor’s dinner reception abounded with a wide variety of foods donated by more than 15 local restaurants.

Later in the evening participants took over the stage for the Relay’s Got Talent! and entertained the walkers.

The Haddam Killingworth Relay collected more than $31,000 in donations from the weekend event, with Saint James Church in Higganum winning top prize for most donations at nearly $6,000. The group's own team captain came in first as top participant, collecting $2,900.

The group 25 & Counting came in second place with Mark Hale, team captain, getting second place, as well recognition for most donations collected by an individual overall.

As the sun set and the track glowed with luminaria, some teammates kept walking as some took shifts sleeping. While the rain also began falling, it didn't dampen the hope that filled those tents.

The HK Relay is still taking donations through August and invites you to visit their website, www.relayforlife.org/hkct.

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