Relay For Life ‘defies description’
Hope Lives Here - Relay For Life of Northeastern CT
PUTNAM — “Paige, this is the first time I feel normal” Heather DiRaimo, mother and cancer survivor, told her eighth grade daughter. Heather was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Four years later, Heather has transitioned to a maintenance medication and Putnam High School junior Paige Perry co-leads the event with Whitney Pynn and Shane Donahue.
Donahue said: “The bottom line is Relay defies description. You have to experience it.”
This year marks the 29th anniversary for Relay For Life of Northeastern CT. The 24-hour event kicks off at 10 a.m. May 31 and concludes June 1 at the St. Marie-Greenhalgh Sports Complex.
At Relay’s core are three moments: Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.
Celebrate. We celebrate survivors at 10 a.m. as they check-in and prepare to walk the first lap.
Survivors fighting cancer and caregivers follow the thrivers, who have overcome cancer.
This lap ends with our free brunch (pre-registration required).
Remember. Following the free survivor dinner at 6 p.m. (pre-registration required), the open mic for participants to share their cancer journeys begins.
Personal reflection turns to collective remembrance as we read luminaria name. Luminaria are illuminated white bags that line the track, and are dedicated for those impacted by cancer.
Our last public lap is the silent lap led by a bagpiper.
Fight Back. At 9 a.m. June 1, we end with a rally cry–giving awards, opening mystery raffle items and outlining the work ahead.
This family-friendly, volunteer-driven event is a symbol of hope, said Donahue. In addition to free activities, live entertainment, crafters and food trucks, participants may: Register for our Cornhole Tournament to win money; Enter the inflatable park with face-painting, balloon animals, boomerang demonstrations, and concessions for $10 per child.
In addition, there are “Pop-Up Events,” each with a free activity, guest judges, silent auctions and mystery raffles: Relay Reads Swap wrapped “mystery books” with peers, decorate bookmarks and raise funds to buy books for youth receiving cancer treatment; Plant Party Swap plants/cuttings, compete in free pot decoration and take home new houseplants by donation; Let’s Get Cooking Cake Decorating Competition: Compete to make the best cake and swap recipes with fellow participants as we build a Relay cookbook. Community Art Show with live demonstrations, crafts, and an art show followed by a silent auction; Chubby Dog Gaming Cafe and Arcade: Play Magic the Gathering tournaments, Dungeons and Dragons, board games, trivia and attend Celebrity Barista Night.
To register a team, RSVP as a survivor for free meals, sign up to volunteer or learn more, visit linktr.ee/relaynect and click “Join this Relay.”
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