Residents Honor, Remember and Fight
Cancer At Relay For Life

• PostEagle
• July 23, 2013
• Uncategorized
• Featured
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Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and showgirls joined over 800 team members families, friends and neighbors walk for a common cause. They all walked  in this year’s American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Clifton because they personally, or someone they know, has battled cancer. The Vegas atmosphere was abundant with dice, roulette wheels, and  Elvis marrying people in the chapel of love. DJ Jose kept everyone dancing!

They did more than walk around a track all night. They joined a national movement that has raised over $3 billion since its inception for the fight against cancer. They walked to create more birthdays around the world and hope for those battling the disease.

Sixty (60) cancer survivors celebrated their triumph over the disease by walking in the Survivors’ Lap to kick off the Relay. They were then joined by more than   800 participants at the event as others took turns circling the track at the Clifton Stadium. Walkers continued to relay all day and into the night in honor of cancer survivors, caregivers, and those who lost their battle.

Steven Baker, the “touchdown maker” for the NY Giants armed with his Super Bowl ring and trophy, amicably joined the participants on the track, gladly signing autographs and posing for pictures with everyone.

As night began to fall, stadium lights were turned off and more than 800 candles were lit at an emotional luminaria service as walkers remembered those lost to the disease. To the song Amazing Grace played by bagpiper Michael Porter, participants walked in a lap of silence around the track lined with 1000 luminary bags as a tribute to those who have battled and survived, and those lost to this demon disease. This was an amazingly emotional and breathtaking part of the night for all the participants.

More than $103,000 was raised during the annual event. Funds raised from the Relay For Life event help save lives and create more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. “The American Cancer Society is appreciative of the overwhelming show of support from the Clifton community,” said Beverly Provido-Sahu, American Cancer Society Relay For Life director.

“This community has taken up the fight against cancer and money raised through this event will help provide support services to help people get well and stay well. Funds will also go towards cutting edge research in striving to one day find a cure for cancer.  This Relay For Life represents hope for those that are battling cancer and hope that the disease will one day be eliminated.”

For more information about Relay For Life in your community, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.  Donations received through 8/31/13 will be included in the total for the Clifton relay. Visit relayforlife.org/cliftonnj to make a donation. Thank you Clifton for all your support!