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Smiles, tears, memories and life lessons at Relay for Life

| 06 Jun 2013 | 01:34
    Photos by Ginny Raue By tradition, the first lap around the track at the Relay for Life of the Highlands is the survivor's lap, kicking off the event with many broad smiles and cheers from the on-lookers.
    Photos by Ginny Raue By tradition, the first lap around the track at the Relay for Life of the Highlands is the survivor's lap, kicking off the event with many broad smiles and cheers from the on-lookers.
    Ten-year old Thomas Kilroy of team Moms on a Mission learned a great deal by participating in the Relay.
    Ten-year old Thomas Kilroy of team Moms on a Mission learned a great deal by participating in the Relay.
    There's never a lack of creativity, caring and spirit at the realy.
    There's never a lack of creativity, caring and spirit at the realy.
    Cancer survivors receive a medalion before the first lap begins.
    Cancer survivors receive a medalion before the first lap begins.
    No one can say that West Milford's mayor, Bettina Bieri, is not a good sport. Here she is, a sitting duck, just waiting for that first dunk into the tank. By day's end Bieri was the number one "dunkee," having been dropped into the tank 84 times by the friendly crowd and earning the most in donations for the Relay.
    No one can say that West Milford's mayor, Bettina Bieri, is not a good sport. Here she is, a sitting duck, just waiting for that first dunk into the tank. By day's end Bieri was the number one "dunkee," having been dropped into the tank 84 times by the friendly crowd and earning the most in donations for the Relay.

BY GINNY RAUE
WEST MILFORD — Another year, another successful fund raiser. As important as that is, the Relay for Life of the Highlands is about more than that. It’s the camaraderie, the celebration of life, the fighting back, the memories of loved ones lost to cancer. It’s acknowledging the caretakers and witnessing the outpouring of concern and generosity of friends, neighbors and strangers.

According to committee member Joan Hopper, the Relay raised about $100,000 for the American Cancer Society, funds destined to assist on-going research and services to cancer patients.

It was a steamy day last Saturday when the Relay kicked off but the atmosphere was anything but bogged down. There were approximately 520 participants, 55 registered cancer survivors and 48 teams keeping the track at West Milford High School occupied at all times. There was music, laughter, prayers and tears and a palpable feeling of hope.

A special story
Among the participants was one special little boy, 10-year-old Thomas Kilroy. He recently learned a hard life lesson through a social media outlet.

Thomas is a fifth grader at Westbrook School. He and his mom, Connie, came across a little girl named Kyra Root on Facebook. Kyra was nine years old and suffering from osteocarcinoma. During the time that Thomas and Connie followed Kyra, she was mostly in the hospital, gravely ill. They never met, but Thomas became attached to her story.

Connie Kilroy, a nurse, happened upon Kyra. When she finds a story like this she follows them, sending prayers and good wishes where they are needed. The little girl's’ mother kept her page updated and the Kilroys checked in each day to see how she was. Thomas was particularly interested in Kyra’s “bucket list,” rooting for her to have her wishes fulfilled.

Kyra passed away several months ago, the day after her birthday, and Connie had to tell Thomas.

“I knew one morning the news would be bad,” she said.

While her passing saddened Thomas, with wisdom perhaps beyond his years, he knew, he said, that she was out of pain and in a better place. His mom wants him to understand the blessing of good health and the need to pray for and reach out to those not as fortunate.

Connie was on a new Relay team this year, Moms on a Mission, and Thomas was there with her. He wanted to design his own Luminaria bag for Kyra, which would be lit in the evening and shine through the night. His bag design consisted of the sun, the moon, trees, birds and animals. On it he wrote: “Rest in peace. You put up a good fight.”

Thomas provided so much help at the Relay that he was made an honorary committee member.

Kyra had a favorite song, “Firework,” and as the bags were being lit around the track the song came over the loud speakers, echoing off the hills around the field.

“I swear when that song came on she was saying a big thank you,” Connie said.

To see more photos from the Relay, go to westmilfordmessenger.com.