Decades of hope, time for a cure
Sixth annual Relay for Life of New Egypt will take place this weekend
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

A community of hundreds of local residents, business people, and military servicemen and servicewomen, along with their families and friends, will spring up at the New Egypt High School in Plumsted Saturday night.

The community gathers together all night one evening a year in honor and support of those whose lives have been touched by cancer in an event called Relay for Life of New Egypt.

Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

Organizers describe Relay for Life as a fun-filled overnight event to celebrate survivorship and raise money for American Cancer Society research and programs. During the event, teams of participants take turns running or walking around the New Egypt High School track from 2 p.m. June 9 to sunrise on June 10. Those in attendance also participate in various events held at the track throughout the weekend.

The event, which is celebrating its sixth year in New Egypt, is open to the public and offers something for everyone, from the newly diagnosed, to caregivers and friends, to long-term cancer survivors.

The relay features a Survivors Luncheon at noon on June 9. Lunch is being prepared as a service project by the Millstone Girl Scouts Service Unit.

The opening ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday and will include a Proclamation of Relay for Life Day by state Assemblyman Ron Dancer, a welcome from Millstone resident and event Chairwoman Anita Pfefferkorn and a speech from a cancer survivor.

Survivors and their caregivers will receive a carnation and take the first lap of the relay.

This year's theme for the event is "Decades of Hope, Time for a Cure." To date, 50 teams are signed up, with about 500 registered participants.

Anita's husband, John, who is the public relations chair of the event, said, "This year represents a significant increase in the amount of participants with special interest from those in our school systems. The example they are setting is inspirational. I can't wait for the fun on relay day and the love of sharing our mission for a cure for cancer."

Each team has chosen to represent a different decade including "decade of the pirates," "relay at the disco," and the "hope hippies." The teams will dress themselves and decorate their campsite according to their theme and will also design banners for their walk around the track.

Leading up to the relay day, each team raises donations for the American Cancer Society. During the event, some teams hold various activities, sales and raffles to further the cause and earn more money for the society.

Teams will compete for fun and relay points in competitions such as "best decorated tent site," "best banner," "best team spirit," "gong show," "karaoke," "Mr. and Mrs. relay pageant," and "celebrity look-alike contest."

Activities for the public are also scheduled throughout the event, including food vendors, pony rides, a dunk tank and music, as well as Locks of Love haircuts for making wigs and hairpieces for those battling cancer. There will also be a silent auction with more than 100 gifts, a poker tournament, face painting, bingo, tennis, Wiffle ball, volleyball, flag football, movies and a trivia contest.

Special features for the public will include various health-awareness events such as fair-skin cancer screening and cancer-prevention education. Special attractions for kids will include a guest appearance at 2 p.m. Saturday of the Looney Toons characters from Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.

The relay also features a special luminaria ceremony, which begins at 10 p.m. and includes turning off the lights and having Millstone Township Boy Scout Troop 116 and the New Egypt Boy Scouts illuminate the track with luminaria bags, which transforms it into a pathway of hope. Participants also light candles and share a quiet time for those who have passed.

This portion is an emotionally moving experience of compassion in recognition of those who have struggled with cancer and died, those who have survived and those who continue to battle the disease, according to John Pfefferkorn.

Every dollar raised during the relay goes toward fighting cancer. Through the first five relays in New Egypt, locals raised more than $475,000 to support the American Cancer Society.

Anita said, "We couldn't have come this far without the generosity of many contributors and the volunteers who share a goal to fight cancer."

She continued, "I'm very pleased with the outreach and support and especially from the younger people who have gotten personally involved. It's important for people to recognize that their efforts have a major collective impact.

She added, "Every contribution of time and money brings us one step closer to the goal - to the cure."

According to John, contributions to the Relay for Life support the American Cancer Society in its fight against cancer in four main ways: through research, education, advocacy and patient services.

The American Cancer Society funds approximately $130 million of cancer research a year and teaches people every day how to live healthy lifestyles and get regular checkups so that they'll never have to hear the words "you have cancer," according to John.

The American Cancer Society's advocacy initiative strives to influence public policies at all levels and works to educate policymakers about cancer and how it affects the individuals and families they represent.

The organization also offers numerous programs and services to those who have been diagnosed with cancer.

There is limited seating for the luncheon for survivors or current cancer patients and their caregiver(s). Those who would like to attend should contact Paul Dinero at Paul.Dinero@cancer.org or 1-800-ACS-2345.

Cancer survivors and their families can also call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. for more information.