WEST MILFORD — Who hasn't been touched by cancer? Whether it's a friend or neighbor, a parent or sibling, spouse or child, cancer has impacted everyone on some level. There is a way to help fight back.
Relay for Life of the Highlands is holding its kick off meeting for its 2015 event on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the West Milford High School library.
This meeting is for everyone who wants to be part of this town-wide, two-day event, which will take place on May 30 and 31 at the high school track.
According to local organizers, Relay for Life takes many hands and passionate volunteers to make the experience great. The kick off is a way to build momentum to make the 2015 event the best one yet. In the past, students, civic groups, sports teams, families and neighbors have joined forces to create their Relay teams. The teams collect donations and walk or run the track for the duration of the event, which runs from 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, to 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 31. They walk in teams, sometimes individually, but someone is always out there fighting the fight.
For the past nine years, West Milford has held Relay for Life events, raising more than $913,000 to help find a cure for cancer.
The start of the Relay for Life?
Relay for Life is all about raising funds for the American Cancer Society to aid research and programs to eliminate cancer. The concept began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight against cancer by doing something he enjoyed - running marathons. He spent 24 grueling hours running and walking more than 83 miles around a local track. He wanted to raise money for the American Cancer Society while also showing what someone fighting cancer might endure. Throughout the night, nearly 300 people paid money to run or walk with him. That day, Klatt raised $27,000, and the Relay For Life movement began.
He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. What an impact he had! The vision turned into more than 5,200 Relay For Life events across the United States today and nearly $5 billion in fundraising to save lives from cancer. In addition, the American Cancer Society licenses 20 non-governmental cancer organizations in other countries to hold Relay For Life events to battle cancer across the globe.
A few years ago, Klatt was diagnosed with cancer himself. He lost that battle in 2014 and passed away from congestive heart failure.
And the vision continues
The Relay for Life of the Highlands raised $78,000 in 2014. There were 400 walkers and 40 cancer survivors who participated. This year, organizers hope those numbers are even greater.
Getting off to a good start with an impressive showing at the kick-off event is one way to get that all started. For those unable to make the Kick-off party, regular meetings will be at West Milford High School on March 4, April 2 and April 27, all leading up to the May 30 event.
"Before, I always had empathy but I didn’t understand it fully until dad had cancer; seeing it first hand, being there every step of the way – people in the trenches, they know," said Kori DeSenzo of West Milford's Pe Pa's Posse, a team at the local Relay. "But this is also a celebration that he’s here with us and it’s about supporting others still fighting.
For more information on the Relay, contact Jon Joy, the 2015 chairperson, at Relayjonjoy@gmail.com, or go to the meeting.