SOUTHWICK – Organizers of the Relay for Life in Agawam are encouraging residents of surrounding communities to join in the fourth annual relay.
Kerri Tichy of Southwick, a member of the Relay for Life Agawam committee, asked members of the Board of Selectmen to spread the word in Southwick last week and invited the board and town to the 2014 Relay kickoff.
The kickoff is set for Jan 23 at the Agawam High School cafeteria from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The kickoff marks the official launch of fund-raising efforts for the 2014 Relay. Cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers, Relay teams, and others from the Agawam and surrounding communities will be on hand to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer, and renew efforts to find a cure for cancer.
This year’s theme is Finish the Fight.
“We invite everyone from Agawam and surrounding communities to join us to help us finish the fight against cancer,”’ said Janine Iacolo, event chairperson. “Cancer knows no boundaries. The Relay will be held in Agawam, but we’re looking for people from Southwick, Westfield, and other surrounding communities to participate in our event.”
Tichy said cancer is a widespread cause that touches all communities.
“Almost everyone is affected by cancer at some point in their life, whether it’s a relative or themself,” said Tichy.
The 2014 Relay is scheduled for Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at the Agawam High School track and sports field. To date, 18 teams and more than 60 participants have registered for the Relay. During the Relay, teams of people will set up campsites around the field and take turns walking or running around the track. Teams will have at least one representative on the track at all times.
At the kickoff, teams can register for the Relay. There will be a mock campsite set up, as well as several stations staffed by planning committee members to help teams better understand what Relay is and what happens during the event.
“One of our kickoff goals is to educate new people on what Relay looks like and help them through the process of being part of our event,” said Iacolo.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan said she attended the luminaria ceremony at the Relay and called it “the most inspirational” event she has participated in.
Tichy said several awareness and fundraising events are planned for Southwick between the kickoff and the Relay, including the Paint the Town Purple campaign where purple ribbons are placed along College Highway.
“That event helped us gain a few Southwick teams,” said Tichy. “We would like to see more Southwick residents or teams this year.”
Jennifer Ducharme, Relay specialist for the New England Division of the American Cancer Society, has been assisting the planning committee. She said the Relay is a life-changing event that gives everyone in the community a chance to help defeat cancer.
“People from all walks of life come together with a shared mission of furthering our vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” she added.
To find out how to volunteer, or to RSVP for the kickoff, contact Ducharme (413-493-2124/[email protected]) or Iacolo (413-478-9491/[email protected]).
For more information about the Relay, go to www.relayforlife.org/agawamma or the Relay Facebook page.
