Relay For Life of Kutztown celebrated having raised $2,000,000 since it’s beginning.
This year marked the 18th annual fund-raising event with the theme of carnival held Friday, May 29, into Saturday, May 30.
“In 1997 we had a couple of people whose hearts were broken and instead of letting that take them away from the work, they actually dug their heals in and started the first Relay For Life at Kutztown and they are the Piscitellis,” said Kathy Lynch, Harlo Heroes team leader and mission chair. “Through way of their tragedies they’ve been able to pay it forward and really make a difference.”
During the Spirit Ceremony, Courtney Totten, American Cancer Society and Relay For Life staff partner said this was the biggest year Kutztown Relay ever had.
“We have over 550 participants here. We have surpassed the goal; you guys are great. Last night was packed.”
This year Kutztown Relay brought in $166,134.91 to add to the $2,000,000 milestone.
The following volunteers, Laura Unger, Bonnie’s Bunch, Erma Gajewski, New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Michelle Krick, Adams & Associates, and Nancy Heffner, Angels of Hope St. Paul’s, took turns addressing what the American Cancer Society could do with $2,000,000.
They can help 83,333 breast cancer survivors through the Reach Through Recovery Program, fund 2,000 research grants to fight back against cancer, connect two million people to clinical trials through the Clinical Trial Matching Service, provide 24,096 nights of free lodging at the Hope Lodge Facilities, provide 111,111 people facing cancer free information using the 24/7 hotline, and transport 90,909 patients to and from their treatments using Road to Recovery.
“And all that is because of you and the work you do on a regular basis putting your heart to work and gathering friends together having two days of fun and excitement building the spirit of hope throughout the course of our community,” said Lynch. “This is what we’ve done so far, think about what’s yet to come. Thank you so very much.”
New this year was a special lap honoring volunteers from the community. Volunteers included, but not limited to, Boy Scouts, people doing community service, and younger people from the schools who worked to make the event run smoother according to Rita Phillips, lead for registration and accounting.
“They pick up the slack and we need that,” said Phillips. “We had a lot of survivors last night and we wanted to get them served and they helped in the survivor tent and got our survivors served their meal and helped set up so it saved a lot of wear and tear on our old bones.”
Fleetwood Tigers team member, Brian Mahoney, also a graduate of Kutztown University in secondary education English, said, “I think it’s great that they embrace the ones who are the people behind the scenes and make this all possible. I mean everyone has put in great efforts and without those efforts, this wouldn’t be so smooth for everyone.”
“I think this event is just really volunteer driven and like everyone here is giving up their time for something that’s a really great cause. It’s just nice to help out with other people who have a similar interest in doing all this,” said Rachel Looker, alumna of Fleetwood High School.
“I think it’s better than just sitting around all day and actually doing something about life,” said Michael Wamsher, Fleetwood Tigers team member.
Cindy Tobias, experience lead who handles a lot of the logistics, had the goal to get the community really out at Relay, according to Totten.
“She and some of the team members decided let’s do two different laps. Let’s do one for our sponsors and one for all of the other volunteers that work alongside us whether its in the fight against cancer or just protecting people from fire and keeping them safe; things like that. Let’s honor them here and show that we’re all in this together no matter what we’re doing,” said Totten.
“We’re hoping that they learn a little bit about cancer prevention and that they also know what we do and we really thank them because without them, they give so much already,” said Tobias. “Our community people do so much and we wanted to thank them.”
“We have an amazing year and you all know that; I don’t need to tell you. Let’s keep the momentum going. Let’s get pumped up for 2016 as we end this season and remember how great we feel right now,” said Totten.
Next year’s Relay For Life of Kutztown will be held June 3 and June 4.
For more information, go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY15EC?pg=entry&fr_id=68888 or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RelayForLifeofKutztown/timeline.
