Reader: 24-Hour Cancer Benefit Resounding Success

To the Editor:

The Greater Middletown Relay for Life was held Saturday through Sunday from noon to noon at the Woodrow Wilson Middle School track in Middletown.  Participants included committee members, team captains, team members, cancer survivors, caregivers, families, friends, many community members, business and sponsors, countless volunteers and many who stopped by to see what Relay was about.

At noon, the gates opened and the many team captains and chaperones came with their tents, extra clothing, coolers, team onsite fundraising items, decorations, and additional team members to set up their assigned team area for the next 24 hours.  The DJ played upbeat music as all entered and checked in at registration. The parking lot and the field slowly filled with the many cars as the hundreds of Participants came to begin the 24 hours of Relay.      

Opening ceremonies began at 4 p.m. with a few sprinkles of rain. Co-chairs Amy Hughes and Jasmine Hunter welcomed all. They thanked the 2011 Committee and the community for their support and many donations. “Every dollar raised is to help the American Cancer Society provide programs, services for cancer patients and families, support patient services, fund lifesaving research, provide education, prevention and advocacy.”

The first official lap for 2011 Greater Middletown Relay For Life was the survivor lap dressed in purple shirts imprinted on the back with “Survivor, Had It, Fought It, Surviving It.” Survivors come in all ages — young, older, male, female, most able to walk, some pushed in wheelchairs, others carried on the shoulders of their parents and many survivors walking arm in arm with each other wearing their smiles to celebrate life. 

On the second lap, caregivers joined their survivors. This lap had many smiles and tears of happiness because they could share this special lap with them. The group then enjoyed dinner in the survivor tent. 

As dusk set, the field was lined with many team tents, canopies, team banners and many decorations for the 74 teams present.  The rain began to fall more heavily each hour. The light from the many luminaria bags that honored a survivor or remembered another who is no longer here lit the track throughout the night as a reminder that the fight for a cure for cancer will never stop.

At 8:30, the next ceremony was the Torch & Luminaria Ceremony.  All present were given a candle to walk the track in silence as names were read from the many torches and luminaria bags that family and friends purchased. All the names were displayed on a large screen. The rain occasionally extinguished the candles, a kind often unknown neighbor was there to relight the flame as all present walked the track.  This is symbolic of the community that each person with cancer has. 

At 10, the final ceremony was the Fight Back Ceremony. The track fence was surrounded by 1,000 glowing rings, each ring represented 30 cancer survivors in the greater Middletown area for a total of 30,0000!  It was a reminder that cancer is here right in our community, 24/7 and 365 days until a cure is found.

Mother Nature sent a few thunder and lightening bolts after midnight and the field was evacuated for a few hours.

The following morning after closing ceremonies and awards the Final Victory Lap for the Greater Middletown Relay For Life was led by Hughes and Hunter.    

Thanks to the 2011 co-chairs Amy and Jasmine, the 2011 Greater Middletown Committee Members, the 74 teams with their participants, speakers, the City of Middletown, the Middletown Board of Education, Hunters Ambulance, Emergency Management, the Police and Fire Departments, event staff, vendors and sponsors. 

Thanks to all who assisted to publicize our Relay and get the word into the community.  Special thanks to all the family and friends who supported the team members with cash donations, goods or services. You have all assisted to raise awareness about the American Cancer Society and their mission to find a cure for Cancer.  With out all this generosity, this event would not be possible.

“Publicity Patti” Nettis Deegan, Greater Middletown Relay For Life