One in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, more than half of all these diagnoses will occur after the age of 65. Cancer is the second most common cause of death after heart disease. At 2:00 pm on June 10th approximately 500 people will gather at Middletown North to participate in a 16 hour event to raise and donate money to fight cancer. This is the signature event of the American Cancer Society called Relay For Life.

Teacher advisor Marc Siegel, and student leaders Sarah Heckman and Emily Kovaleski have managed the heavy tasks of planning ceremonies such as the survivor dinner, booking a DJ, organizing fundraisers, setting up advertisement around the town, keeping track of the funds, and forms (for youth participants, chaperones, campsite assignments), distribution of T-shirts, the Kickoff (informative mid-year event that is an introduction to Relay), picking a theme, monthly meetings for Event Leadership team members and Team captains,  and Social Media Advertisement. About 100- 2016 Relay For Life participants are Middletown South Students.

“ Honestly, the people have made it special for me. From the survivors, to the caregivers, to the Event Leadership Team, they all are so inspiring and positive. They make the event and all the ceremonies something to be remembered.” said Middletown South student advisor Sarah Heckman.

Gatherings that will take place during Relay for Life include a survivor’s dinner, an opening welcome ceremony, and a Luminaria ceremony. Last year Relay for Life in Middletown raised $80,000. All the money raised by all the teams is donated to the American Cancer Society. Charities include Hope Lodge, a lodge for cancer patients and their caregivers to stay free of charge while being treated if they can’t support themselves financially, ACS Cancer Action Network, programs that support laws that directly impact the reduction of cancer agents such as, increased funding for breast cancer research, smoke free workplaces, etc. The ACS 1-800 number, a number that anyone can call to ask questions about cancer, talk to a therapist, speak with a financial director, speak with an oncologist 1(800) 227-2345, Road to Recovery, a program that provides free car rides to treatment for cancer patients; Reach to Recovery a breast cancer survivor support network; Look Good Feel Better Program, a self image program that works with beauty professionals that provides makeup, nails, and wigs for people with cancer going through treatment. All of these programs help alleviate the insurmountable stress that patients and their families face, and allow them to focus on their treatment and recovery.

Relay for Life will be an inspiring, phenomenal experience for all Middletown Students, families, and cancer survivors in attendance. All teams will join the fight against cancer one lap at a time.