ACS Relay for Life Raises $112,000 Despite Evacuation

Report, Photography and Video by Paula Antolini

See LUMINARY CEREMONY VIDEO and more photos of the event here: picturesbypaula.com  (In "Fundraisers" Gallery)

The American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life 2014 would like to thank everyone for their support and especially for attending this year's "20th Reunion" event on June 13-14, 2014, which was unfortunately subject to stormy weather.

Despite the bad weather, Relay for Life volunteers were intent on manning the fundraising team tents and helping to make thie Relay for Life a success to honor the survivors. Participants attended the Survivor Dinner, Opening Ceremony, Luminary Ceremony, and many walked the track to "win the race for a cure."  

Lightning and thunderstorms caused the Bethel Police to evacuate everyone from the Bethel High School (BHS) track and field to keep everyone safe, at about 6:45 p.m.. Attendees were moved into Bethel High School for approximately two hours until it was deemed safe to return to the track.  The Opening Ceremony, Survivor Walk, and Care Giver & Survivor Walk took place in the BHS gym during that time.    

The rain continued for most of the night but volunteers and participants were determined to walk the track to represent the "fight to the finish" for a cure for cancer and hope that we see an end to cancer.  They used umbrellas, raincoats, and anything waterproof to try and stay dry enough to be able to do laps around the track but many walked way past getting soaked too.  

At the same time, the weather represents the "stormy weather" that enters into many lives of individuals who hear the words "you have cancer" and the diagnosis of course also affects family and friends too, all wanting their loved one to survive and not suffer and many of whom become caregivers.  

The survivor dinner took place at 5:00 p.m. and was attended by approximately 130 survivors and caregivers. The dinner was outdoors this year, in a sixty-foot by thirty-foot tent, rather than in the BHS cafeteria as in years past.  The meal, including dessert, was donated by Olive Garden.  A raffle took place during dinner and prizes were generously donated by many local and other businesses.   

Due to the rain, the beautiful Luminary Ceremony occurred inside the tent this year and Luminaria bags lined the tables in double and triple rows, bags too numerous to count, as survivors and caregivers sat around them and more people viewed the ceremony from the tent entrance.  One individual bought 100 Luminaria bags ($1000) alone.

Survivors and caregivers placed "glow stick" lights inside the Luminaria bags and a moment of silence was observed to remember loved ones lost to cancer and those who are battling the disease. Singer Karen Mattera sang "The Voice of an Angel" after dedicating the song to her father who died of cancer in 2009.  It was a moving ceremony, and the Luminaria dedications remind us of how cancer affects so many lives.  

Luminary Ceremony speakers were Carol Anne Viebrock, one of this year's tri-chairs and 2013 RFL Honorary Chairperson and 5 year cancer survivor, and Denise Sullivan, also the 2009 RFL Honorary Chairperson and 15 year cancer survivor. Bethel Middle School 8th grade student Rebecca Phillips spoke about her father who died of soft tissue sarcoma cancer last year.

A special survivor dinner entertainment surprise was live classical piano music performed on a grand piano at the center of the survivor tent by fourteen-year-old Bethel Middle School (BMS) 8th grade student Gia Antolini.  She is a BMS orchestra student who has also been studying piano for 10 years at the Suzuki Talent Education School in Newtown CT, and is a three-time winner of the BMS Chopin Competition 2012-2014.  Gia performed numerous classical pieces for over three hours and all through the dessert hour too, which was delayed well past 9:00 p.m. because of the storm and evacuation.  

The piano use was donated by Fry's Piano of Fairfield CT who also graciously supplied moving costs too. Mr. Fry has had cancer in his family and strongly supports the ACS Relay for Life cause. Mr. Fry, his wife and moving crew came out late Saturday night in the storm to pick up the piano too.  No easy chore to move a grand piano in the rain!  The sound system for the piano was provided by Bethel Music Center and other audio by Horizon Sound.

Out on the BHS field spirits were high as people took part in the many fundraising activities planned, although again, less activities because of the weather.  However, a Pie Tossing game seemed to be popular with young people, who would get a chance to smash a whipped cream pie into someone's face.  The Crosstown Band played lively music well into the night.  It was uplifting to see so many people supporting the cause to find a cure for cancer.

Despite the weather problems, Relay for Life raised $112,000 (close to last year's total) that will benefit cancer victims and survivors, and help them back onto the road to recovery, as well as funds for research to give families hope of finding a cure.

Spread the Hope One Step at a Time.

CELEBRATE.  REMEMBER.  FIGHT BACK.

*****

You can still make donations. For more information about Relay for Life:

http://www.relayforlife.org/

http://www.relayforlife.org/getinvolved/donate/index


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Survivor Dinner Donations 2014

Bethel Businesses:

A New Beginning Salon & Day Spa
Agway of Bethel
Alice’s Flower Shop
Armondo’s Restaurant
Artistry of Hair
Bethel Music Center
Caraluzzis Markets
Disc & Dat
Elegant Nails
English Drug
Escape Salon & Spa
Hollandia Nurseries
Juice Bar
La Zingara Restaurant
Loree’s Catering
Molten Java
New Balance Shoe Store
Olive’ s Armoire
Peachwave
Plain Jane’s Restaurant
Putnam House Restaurant
Quality Gem
Redding Roasters
Salz Pizza Bethel
Silver Touch Jewelry
Snap Fitness
Stony Hill Wines & Spirits
The Gift Cottage
The Littlest Angel
The Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant
The Toy Room
Wine World

Danbury Businesses

Art & Frame of Danbury
Avalone Discount Wine & Spirits
Chamomille Natural Foods
Happy Dollar
JC Penny
Judd’s Flowers & Plants
Mohawk Tire & Auto Center
Morning Star Christian Books
Pawmark
Supercuts
The Olive Garden Restaurant
The Party Depot
Trader Joe’s

Other

FRY'S Piano of Fairfield
YankeeCandle.com

Thank You For Your Generosity!