Relay for Life of Baldwin kicked off its 2026 Relay season with the symbolic First Lap at Baldwin High School on Jan. 10.
Held annually on the first Saturday of the year, the Relay First Lap was founded in 2018 by Joe Gillette, a dedicated volunteer and leader in the Relay for Life community. Gillette created the First Lap to renew his dedication to Relay for Life and inspire others to join the fight against cancer.
Members of Baldwin’s Relay community took “a couple of laps” around the Baldwin High School track together at Noon on Saturday.
When asked why this event is important to him and the group, Miguel Melendez, a Baldwin Relay for Life event leader and cancer survivor, said, “It reiterates our commitment to continue Relaying, especially in Baldwin.”
“Compared to other larger Relay events around Long Island, we consider ourselves ‘The Little Relay That Could,’” he said. “As long as out events keep growing, we’ll keep going.”
The next event of the 2026 Relay season is the annual Relay for Life Kick-off. Melendez shared that the kick-off takes place at a local establishment, but the details, including location, are yet to be determined.
Relay for Life of Baldwin 2026 will take place at Baldwin Park from 4-10 p.m. on June 13
The Baldwin Relay team encourages everyone in Baldwin, along with neighboring communities, to sign up for the 2026 walk at Relayforlife.org/BaldwinNY.
“While our mission is to raise funds and awareness, we are looking for survivors and their caregivers to join us as a community,” Melendez said in an email to the Herald.
“Cancer affects everyone and we want to let them know that they are not alone in this fight.”
