Bellmore-Merrick residents support fight against cancer at Relay for Life

Dozens gathered on May 18 at Merrick Road Park to take part in the Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event in which teams of people collect donations and then join together for nighttime walks and candlelight vigils.

Some walked to show their support for individuals with cancer, while others walked in tribute to loved ones or friends who lost their lives to cancer. Others participated to show their solidarity with people with cancer and to support the goal of better medical science to treat and defeat the disease in all its forms. Many were cancer survivors.

The event ran from 5 to 10 p.m., and there was a band playing on a stage that the Town of Hempstead provided and a bouncy slide for children. In addition to walking around the field to the south of the park’s basketball and handball courts, participants lit paper lanterns decorated with the names of individuals diagnosed with cancer.