Relay for Life Creates a 'World with More Birthdays'

After months of preparation, cancer survivors and those hoping for an end to the disease took over  in Gloucester Township Saturday for a 24-hour walking fundraiser.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature annual fundraising event, designed to celebrate survivors, remember loves ones and fight back against cancer. By raising awareness and money, the American Cancer Society’s main goal is to “fight against cancer and create a world with more birthdays,” explained special events manager Cathy Landolt.

“Today is the day when everyone can pledge to fight back against cancer, by committing to get a mammogram or quit smoking. We then celebrate our survivors because they are a symbol of hope, as well as taking a moment to remember all of our loved ones,” Landolt said.

The Gloucester Township event raised $43,799 from 58 teams with more than 500 individual participants, who perservered through Saturday's cloudy and humid weather. The Gloucester Township Democrats topped the list by raising over $5,000.

“Last year we put together a group in 10 days and raised $4,000,” Township Council Vice President Orlando Mercado said. “This year, it was a community effort and we really got involved. We even had a little bit of competition between a few of our members. It really motivated us.”

Mercado speaks of Richard and Judy Calabrese—a husband and wife who decided to compete against each other to see who would raise more money. In the end, Richard raised $20 more than Judy.

“We have all been affected by cancer in some way, we all know someone, whether it be a family member or a friend. That’s why we’re out here,” said Mercado.

There were some teams that truly understood the impact of cancer. Kelly Martina lost her mother, father and father-in-law in a span of seven months. She decided to come up with “Nanny and the Pops” as her group name for today’s event.

“This is the first year I’ve participated [in Relay for Life]. We received some online donations and just put this together at the last minute… but it’s turned out great. This is such a positive event and it represents all forms of cancer. Our motto is, ‘Just wait till next year’ because we’ll be ready to go all out,” Martina vowed.

Other groups raised money for cancer at today’s event—the Fightin Phils sold Phillies T-shirts for $5 and the Lockett Lifesavers lived up to their name by selling boxes of candy.

By registering for Relay for Life, every team committed to having at least one member on the track at all times over the 24-hour period. Although some groups were just unpacking and setting up their campsites during the early afternoon hours, there were plenty of activities going on throughout the day, including volleyball, kickball, pie eating contests and even a line dancing event hosted by . Live music energized the crowd, including a performance by 15-year-old Pine Hill native Payton Taylor.

Chairwoman Tracey Trotto was extremely pleased with the outcome of the event, including the emotional Survivor’s Lap that allowed those who have battled cancer to circle the track together.

“Everyone brings a different message and has a different reason for being here today. But in the end, we’re all here together, fighting back against cancer.”

For more information on the American Cancer Society, visit the Gloucester Township Relay for Life website.