By Dan Israeli
After all, the purpose of the event was for the community to unite as one, from dusk until dawn, and show that cancer doesn't stop for anything - including a few drops of rain. "So far we've been having a date with Murphy's Law," said Lynne Fain, a cancer survivor, right before the opening ceremonies. "It's not going to stop us."
Over 40 tents were pitched on the football field, as sponsored teams camped out and relayed the track all night to acknowledge the tireless fight against cancer. As with all Relay for Life events, the inaugural lap was made up of just cancer survivors, who were then joined by their caretakers, friends and family alike, for the relay's second lap.
It was Long Beach's first annual Relay for Life, and the community was able to raise approximately $96,000 for the cause. Money raised from Relay events across the country is used to fund the research and support programs of the American Cancer Society, according to Ted Vlavianos, regional director of Relay for Life.
For Vlavianos, who is organizing over 10 local Relay for Life events this month, Long Beach's inaugural event was a great success. "It exceeded all of our expectations," Vlavianos said. "It was amazing how many people stuck through, despite the elements. Long Beach's spirit was stronger than some adverse weather conditions."
Event organizers did have a backup plan to move everyone into the gym if any lighting or thunder occurred. In the end, the overcast weather became symbolic of the evening's theme. "It's like the sky is crying for everyone who has cancer," said Yvonne Smith, mother of a cancer survivor.
Debbie Capodiferro, a health teacher at Long Beach High School, introduced Relay for Life to the community after witnessing the event firsthand while working in the Locust Valley district. For her, seeing everything unfold in the past few months was a true testament to the city's dedication.
"I grew up here, and nothing ever ceases to amaze me," Capodiferro said. "No matter how diverse this community is, it all comes together when it counts." Capodiferro added that the organizers were a little nervous about the weather, but weren't going to let it stop them.
The event drew in several members of the school community, including school board trustee Patrick Gallagher. "This is what school and community is all about," he said. At the forefront of the Relay cause was the student based committee, which spent the past few months spreading awareness while helping plan the event.
Co-chair Ilanna Scheur was another contributor impressed to see how far everything had come. "I really didn't think it would be this big," Scheur said. "The whole community is coming together, despite the bad weather. Cancer doesn't stop for anything and neither do we."
Scheur added that the youth involvement of the event spread to the middle school where several students had held fund-raisers, including car washes, to raise money for the overall cause. There had been several mini-fund-raisers that led up to the Relay on Saturday, which helped increase Long Beach's impressive grand total.
As the night rolled by, participants in attendance were treated to live musical performances by local bands F.O.G. and Valley Blues Band, as well as the high school jazz band, middle school cast of Seussical and the Martin Luther King Center dance group called the Krumpers.
The evening's most poignant moment was the Luminiere Ceremony, in which people lit candles placed inside white paper bags, and lined them along the track. An arrangement of bags was also lit up in the bleachers, spelling out the word "hope." In total 400 bags were lit, and despite mother nature's best efforts, remained lit for the entire ceremony.
Arnold Epstein, the district's athletic director, handled the logistics of event and was taken back by the final result. "You really don't understand the impact of something like this until you witness it," Epstein said. "It's just hard to put into words. It was a great night in Long Beach."
As for the future of Relay for Life in Long Beach, Epstein said he hoped it will become an annual event, adding that the community members have already been discussing plans for next year. Epstein noted that the partnership between the city and the Regional Relay for Life was so strong that it felt like both entities "molded together as one family."
For those who attended the first annual Long Beach Relay for Life, the memory will surely remain forever, as Vlavianos, a cancer survivor himself, can attest. "The only thing I can promise, is that this will be an event they will all remember," said Vlavianos just prior to the opening ceremony. "In a word, tonight will be magical."
