Relay For Life a huge success

Relay raises $110,000 and still counting

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, June 16, 2006

The Thorold, Ontario, bagpipers played while taking a nighttime lap around the high school track at last week’s Relay. (photo by Brent Minet)

“A celebration of hope, life and survival” – these are the words organizers used to describe Grand Island’s 2006 Relay For Life, held last Friday and Saturday on the running track behind Grand Island High School.

More than $110,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society, according to Mary Dunbar-Daluisio, a survivor herself and co-chairperson for this event. There were 67 teams and more than 1,000 participants registered for the Relay.

Opening ceremonies began around 6 p.m. Members of Charles H. DeGlopper VFW Post 9249 presented the American flag, and Glen Hillman sang the national anthem.

McMahon Welcomes Crowd

Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, co-chairman of the Relay welcomed the crowd. “It is a pleasure to see so many people out here. We are looking forward to the most successful Relay we’ve ever had,” he said.

McMahon recognized the officials in attendance, including Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello, state Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, state Sen. Marc Coppola and Town Board members Mary Cooke, Susan Argy and Gary Roesch.

McMahon presented Dunbar-Daluisio with one of the purple, plastic flamingoes that were used as a fund-raiser for the Relay. “This is in recognition of the great job you do for us. Thank you very much,” he said.

Dunbar-Daluisio expressed her gratitude to all those in attendance at the Relay. “It brings us a lot closer and makes us stronger,” she said. “We are united, and we are very determined.”

Cancer Touches Many Lives

Alicia Sommer, the honorary survivor for this year’s Relay, expressed heartfelt words about how cancer has not only touched her life, but also the lives of family and friends. “I’m here today in honor of them. I don’t want anyone else to die, so I’m here to help them. Thank you for coming,” she told the crowd.

Cassie Ungaro sang during the Survivors’ Lap. Dunbar-Daluisio, Sommer and about 60 others who are battling cancer or have already beaten it walked around the high school’s track. The Caregivers’ Lap followed. This was walked by those who have cared for someone fighting this dreaded disease.

Finally, all of the teams participating in the Relay for Life walked around the track. During this lap, Melissa Affuso sang and was accompanied by Chad Moran on guitar. They, along with Ungaro, are students at Grand Island High School.

Students Brave the Cold

A significant number of Grand Island’s students were on the Relay teams. Team Beyond Imagination consisted of one junior, C.J. Whiting, and five seniors: Monique Dhand, Kathy Rogers, Ashley Marien, Toni Kaufman and Angie Jaeger. It was chilly and quite windy during the Relay, which caused problems for this team while they set up their tent, one of many that sprung up on the grounds, ready to house those who were willing to stay through the night. Despite having two sweatshirts on, Dhand exclaimed, “It’s freezing.”

Youngest Survivor

Probably the youngest cancer survivor at the Relay was little Ian Cameron, who just turned 2 on May 28. During the Survivors’ Lap, Ian’s mother, Donna, pulled him in a red wagon decorated to look just like a train. “My mom, Barb Miller, did all the painting,” Donna said. Barb Miller, along with Ian’s great-grandmothers – Jean Miller and Carol Kostelnik – all watched as “Ian’s Choo Choo” went ’round the track.

Ian has had a long, difficult battle for such a young boy. His mother found him paralyzed below the waist one day when he was 10 months old. The cause: a lemon-sized, malignant tumor that was growing on Ian’s spine. “It was a Stage 3 neuroblastoma; only about 1,000 kids in the U.S. have this,” his mother explained. After battling back from five surgeries, chemotherapy and an E-coli infection that nearly took his life, Ian “has been cancer-free since September,” she proudly reported. “Ian has been fitted for braces,” she said, although there is a chance that he will walk on his own some day.

Unique Fund-raisers

Some of the teams raised funds for the American Cancer Society during the Relay by holding raffles or selling various items. Ian’s family sold train-shaped, chocolate suckers. Other teams offered cookies, cupcakes, beverages, and snacks for sale. Glow-sticks and rings with flashing lights could be purchased and seemed more popular as the evening grew darker.

Island Presbyterian Church sponsored a game in which participants won two prizes every time they donated just one dollar. For the prizes, “We got a whole bunch of donations from companies,” Morgan Majewski reported. She is a member of the church and a sophomore at Grand Island High School. Prizes included spill-proof auto mugs, heavy-duty measuring tapes and even tool kits and fondue pots.

Team Huth consisted of female instructors, administrators, and staff from Huth Road School and one male participant -- Jon Lacki. He is a former graduate of both Huth Road and Grand Island High School and currently works as a substitute teacher at the elementary school. “He was the only brave male to go along with our team,” said teacher Beth Boron. Lacki dressed as a groom, while the ladies dressed as brides. Boron explained that since “the theme for the whole thing (Relay) is ‘United for a Cure,’ and we teachers think outside the box,” the group decided their team would illustrate marriage, since it is one way in which people unite.

Those who purchased a ticket could stand in a group and try to catch the artificial bouquets the “brides” tossed. Anyone catching the flowers won a nice prize. “We raised over $6,400 this year. We’re really excited about that,” Boron said. Before the bouquets were tossed, Team Huth had some fun doing a line dance to the song “Electric Slide.”

A large basket raffle chaired by Kim Schopp was another way in which funds were raised for the cancer society. “We asked every team to donate a basket,” said Jodi Robinson, who volunteered her time selling raffle tickets. Some teams even donated two or three baskets. People who weren’t even on a Relay team contributed as well. “Last year we raised over $3,500,” Robinson reported.

Entertainment in Abundance

Musical entertainment was in abundance during the Relay. The sound system was provided by UFoundASound, a company owned by Jim Noe, who lost his sister to cancer. There were special musical performances during the luminaria service as well.

When darkness finally arrived, the candles placed inside the sand-filled bags surrounding the track were lit. Each luminaria displayed the name of someone who is facing cancer or who was lost to the disease. Luminarias placed on the wooden bleachers spelled out the word “hope,” but high winds made it too dangerous to light those. Debbie Bastian and the New Covenant Tabernacle Choir performed during the luminaria service, accompanied by the church’s adult and youth band members.

There was a moment of silence in recognition of all those who have ever been diagnosed with cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, one out of every five people will hear the words, “You have cancer” at some point in their life. The city of Thorold’s Pipe Band played bagpipes and a drum while walking a lap around the track. They concluded this most solemn service by playing “Amazing Grace.”

Events were scheduled for the Relay for Life throughout the night of June 9 and through the early morning hours of June 10, when those who braved the cold night air finally went home. A few days after the event, Dunbar-Daluisio reflected on how many Island residents generously donated their time and money to make the 2006 Relay for Life such an immense success. She choked back a few tears and softly said, “I am so proud to be a Grand Islander.”