Relay For Life Seeks Survivors
for Reception
Cancer survivors have every reason to celebrate. What better way to do so than to attend a special reception and dinner at this year's Relay For Life at Huntington High School?
If you've ever heard the words, "You have cancer," Huntington's Relay For Life organizing committee is inviting you and a friend/family member/caregiver to attend the second annual event as a guest of honor, Friday, May 17 at 5:30 p.m. in a tented area on the Huntington High School athletic field.
Survivors include anyone who has ever battled cancer, including those who are currently engaged in the fight, hopefully on the way to a cure. Survivors and their caregivers will be served dinner, beverages and dessert, all donated by local establishments who are supporting this year's Relay For Life. There will be music and a free event t-shirt for survivors, too.
The survivor's reception committee is chaired by senior Caroline Coffey and includes Matt Angeliadis and Bobby Scott. "They are working diligently to prepare the reception," said senior Nikki Smoot, who along with classmates Molly Prep and Gabe Goldman is co-chairing Huntington's Relay For Life.
Following the dinner reception, cancer survivors and their caregivers will help to officially open this year's Relay For Life by walking around the Blue Devil Stadium track as they are cheered by what is expected to be a crowd of more than 1,000 students and school community members.
"Caregivers are also a major part of our Relay For Life and are honored for their support," Ms. Smoot said. "Caregivers are encouraged to walk alongside the person they have helped during the opening laps of the event. Whether you're a survivor or caregiver, getting involved in Relay For Life can introduce you to others who are facing the same challenges and provide opportunities for learning, sharing and friendship."
The survivor's dinner will be followed by the opening ceremony and the survivor's lap around the track. Survivors can join teams and participate throughout the night, but are not required to do either. Last year, about 50 survivors attended the pre-event dinner.
Signing-up to participate in the survivor's dinner is easy and only takes a few minutes. Visit www.relayforlife.org/HuntingtonHighSchoolNY in order to register or contact Huntington High School's American Cancer Society staff partner Alyssa Knudsen at (631) 300-3457 or alyssa.knudsen@cancer.org. Ms. Knudsen is working alongside Huntington's planning committee.
Huntington High School's Relay For Life organizing committee has established a presence on Twitter (HHSRELAY4LIFE), Facebook (HHSRELAYFORLIFE2013) and Instagram (HHSRELAY) to provide students and community members with current news and information about this year's event.
Any local business interested in sponsoring this year's Relay For Life at Huntington High School by donating either goods or services is encouraged to contact the organizing committee at hhsrelay@gmail.com.
Last year's Relay For Life at Huntington High School raised $134,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year's event is well on its way to success. More than 60 teams comprised of about 500 people have already registered on the event's website at www.relayforlife.org/HuntingtonHighSchoolNY.
The Relay For Life will continue throughout the night and conclude at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 18.