Lynbrook Relay for Life event planned for May 19

Lynbrook residents and their neighbors will lace up their sneakers and hit the track on May 19 to raise awareness — and funds — to help find a cure for cancer as part of Lynbrook’s annual Relay For Life at South Middle School.

“It’s a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember love ones lost and fight back against the disease,” said Adam Glickman, who has been the chairman for the Lynbrook event for the last two years.

Glickman, whose father died of lung cancer in 2003, got involved with Relay for Life as a way to celebrate his father’s life. “It’s an amazing event, because everyone in the world knows someone that has cancer, or has died from cancer,” he said.
In preparation for the event, community members form teams and collect donations through activities like car washes and bake sales. At least one member of each team walks the track at all times, symbolizing the never-ending fight against cancer.

“Not only do we celebrate cancer survivors,” said Judy Wichter, the director of special events for the Nassau region of the American Cancer Society, “but we also remember loved ones lost to the disease.” Wichter said that she got involved with cancer research by bringing the Relay to her Bethpage neighborhood. Her mother died of cancer 18 years ago.

A suvivors’ dinner will be held before the event for those who have previously battled the disease, are undergoing cancer treatment or are newly diagnosed. All food is donated by local businesses, Glickman said, and is free for participants.
During the relay, candles in luminaria bags are lit to honor loved ones who have died or are fighting cancer. Toward the end of the event, relay participants will pledge to take action and spread awareness of cancer research, treatment and prevention in a “Fight Back” ceremony.

“Everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer in one way or another, so they realize how important it is to be involved in an event like this,” Wichter said. “We do have a really nice response from the community.” She added that she and other event organizers have reached out to neighboring communities to see if more people would like to get involved. This year there should be about four teams from East Rockaway, she said.

“It’s about the entire community coming together for one night to take a stand against cancer,” Wichter said. “It’s important when you can look around and see members of your community that share this common goal of trying to find a cure for cancer.”

So far, 48 teams have registered and more than $30,000 has been raised. Glickman sold more than 160 tickets to the May 4 Long Island Ducks game, with $5 of every ticket going toward the relay fund. More information about the event can be found at www.relayforlife.org/lynbrookny.

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