By Mary Malloy
Participants raised more than $130,000, according to Marie Cimaglia, the American Cancer Society's local representative. "There is still money coming in," she said. "It was a very moving, emotional evening."
Relay For Life celebrates cancer survivorship and raises money for research and programs for the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of participants gather at fairgrounds, parks or, in this case, on school grounds and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one member on the track at all times, in keeping with the concept of a relay. The event ran from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday. A survivors' dinner was held in the school cafeteria before the event, with Mayor Eugene Scarpato officiating.
At sundown on Saturday, the luminaria was lit in honor those who have battled cancer. White bags acted as small beacons for the relay runners, lighting their way with votive candles. "The first lap is in silence, with the luminaria lit, and it was awe-inspiring," said Lynbrook resident Pat Alonge, a two-time cancer survivor. Alonge, who was diagnosed with melanoma in her early 30s and then with breast cancer in her mid-30s, attended the event with her family. "It was phenomenal," she said. "As a survivor it was heartwarming, and I was especially proud of the participation of the students, and to see them embrace the whole concept. They really walked the walk."
The event's chairwoman was Lynbrook resident Ginny Lynch. "I want to thank the entire Lynbrook community for the amazing success of our first ever Relay for Life," she said. "We were so amazed and thrilled at the turnout. When [Superintendent of Schools] Dr. [Phillip] Cicero brought a small group together back in November to hear the American Cancer Society tell us about Relay, I had no idea what a phenomenal event we would be hosting."
When the opening ceremonies began on Saturday evening, the grass on the school grounds was covered with a sea of faces, according to Lynch. "I looked out over the field and there wasn't a blade of grass that could be seen," she said. "The people were amid a city of tents, decorated and festooned with ribbons, in support of those who fight cancer daily. It was simply overwhelming."
The event was a community effort, involving the school district, the Department of Public Works, the village, the fire department, the Town of Hempstead, the local and Nassau County police departments as well East Rockaway's chief of auxiliary police, Diane Laukaitis, and officer Donald Laukaitis, who helped direct traffic during the busy early hours of the event. Dr. Fern London Stern volunteered her time to do chiropractic work on the walkers.
Merchants who contributed to the event included Angelina's, Beckmann's, Regina's Pizzeria, Charlie Brown's, Cross Island Fruit, Long Island Banana, Metro Diner, Ruffino's on Lakeview Avenue, Valencia Catering and Vincent's Pizzeria.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
