Community Corner

Relay For Life Grows In Year Two

Over 500 participants have signed up for the Orangetown American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which begins 7 p.m. Friday in the Central Avenue Field in Pearl River.

Over a year ago, Carole Cass approached her neighbor, County Legislator John Murphy (R-Pearl River), with an idea.

Cass, a nurse at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, wanted to see an American Cancer Society Relay for Life in town. A Relay for Life serves as a fundraiser, but also an opportunity for a community to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who have been lost to the disease.

"She just happened to ask at the same time my wife's brother died of cancer," said Murphy, himself a cancer survivor.

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Murphy organized the first Orangetown Relay For Life a year ago. Over 500 walkers helped raise $82,000 at the event.

"Last year's event was our first in Orangetown and a resounding success," said Murphy, chairperson for the event. "Our goal was to raise $40,000 and we doubled that amount. Most people know that Orangetown is a tight-knight community, with generous and altruistic residents and businesses, students and seniors. We're confident this year's Relay will once again prove how wonderful the town really is as we are eager to reach this year's goal of $100,000."

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Murphy expects more participants for the second Orangetown Relay for Life, set to begin 7 p.m. Friday and end 8 a.m. Saturday at Central Avenue Field in Pearl River.

"I think once everybody understands what the relay is and visits it once, it will grow faster than the national debt," Murphy said.

Murphy pointed out that cancer is the No. 2 killer in the United States behind heart disease. It has touched most people in one way or another and is the inspiration for many participants.

"I’m a cancer survivor -- prostate and melanoma," said Orangetown Councilman Denis Troy. "A lot of people that I know have died from this or had treatment for this. To me, if there is any small part we can play raising money to do research to get cures for this horrible disease, I'm all for it."

As of Wednesday night, 38 teams and 502 walkers had registered for the event. The cost to register is $10 per person. Troy will captain one of the teams, as will Cass. The largest group, with 174 members, is Team Carolyn, named in honor of Carolyn Sullivan, who lost her battle with cancer in 2009 at the age of nine.

"Last year magical when they had team Carolyn, which was named for a young girl from Pearl River. You had to see all these kids marching around. It was magical. It was Pearl River at its best. though the event isn't just Pearl River.

"It is a tremendous community event. I’ve been in Pearl River over 30 years. When people are sick, the community responds. When there is a tragedy, the community responds. This hits home with a lot of people."

Two Orangetown residents who are cancer survivors will be honored at this year's Relay. Jeannatte Dailey, a mother of three from Nyack, is currently fighting breast cancer. Larry McKeever of Pearl River headed up the food committee for last year's Relay. The father of five and grandfather of eight has since been diagnosed with cancer himself. In addition to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, McKeever works with Camp Venture and Brest Buddies, which raises funds to combat breast cancer.

"I'm blessed to have a supportive network of family and friends who helped me through my recovery," McKeever said through a release sent out by Murphy. "Knowing we are raising funds for the American Cancer Society to help find a cure is more of a motivation for me this year."

The American Cancer Society gives more funds to cancer research than any private organization in the United States, but that is not all the organization does. Among its other functions are:

  • The American Cancer Society Quitline (1-877-YES-QUIT) provides aid for those trying to quit tobacco use.
  • Develop guidelines for recommended cancer screenings and nutrition and physical activity. This helps people catch the disease early and also find ways to prevent it.
  • Provide information about cancer at 1-800-227-2345 (nearly a million calls per year) and www.cancer.org.
  • Provide online support for cancer survivors and their caregivers.
  • Assist cancer patients who need transportation to treatments and places to stay.
  • Help patients find treatment options.
  • Support events such as Relay for Life and Making Strides against Breast Cancer
  • Help uninsured or under-insured low-income women get breast and cervical cancer screening tests.

Relay-day registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Families are also welcome to set up tents or picnic sites starting at 5:30 p.m.

The opening ceremonies are at 7 p.m., starting with a song by survivor Ellen Condon. McKeever and Dailey will also speak.

The event is open to the public. Roddy Harrington and Kim O'Toole will provide entertainment. Ray Krondracki will organize activities for children. The Hibernian House, Little Scoops (Ice Cream) and Linekin Kettle Corn will supply food.

The Relay begins with a survivors lap. At sundown, there will be a Luminaria Ceremony, in which candles are lit to honor survivors and those who have been lost to cancer. Luminaria candles can be purchased for $10 each.

Relays for Life also include a Fight Back Ceremony, asking participants to take an active role in fighting cancer.

During the relay itself, teams are asked to keep one member walking the track at all times.

"Last year I went until 4 a.m., slept two hours and came back out," Troy said. "I was beat for the rest of the day."

Troy said he had helped Relays for Life in Ramapo and Clarkstown find bagpipers in the past, but he never participated himself until it came to Orangetown.

"A lot of people were interested, but not participate in their community," Troy said, pointing out the importance of Murphy organizing a Relay in Orangetown. "He does more good for more people."

The event will proceed rain or shine.

For further information, call co-chairs Eileen and John Murphy at (845) 398-1623 or (845) 398-8173 or email Murphy6288@Verizon.net.


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