By Danny Teigman
In 1985, Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash., did just that. Seeking to raise money for his local American Cancer Society chapter, Klatt took to the nearby University of Puget Sound track, where for 24 hours he ran and walked more than 83 miles while some 300 of his friends and patients came out to sponsor him.
Klatt didn't know it at the time, but he was starting a movement that eventually became known nationally as Relay for Life.
Twenty-two years later and nearly 3,000 miles down the road, Lynbrook residents are gearing up for their second annual Relay for Life event, for which sponsors are expecting the same strong community support that in 2006 helped the village raise nearly $130,000 - the highest first-time relay amount in Nassau County.
"We're looking forward to this year's event," said Ted Vlavianos, a cancer survivor and Nassau County's regional Relay for Life director. "And we're hoping that it's even better than last year." This year, Vlavianos said, 1,200 participants have already signed up, and 135 teams will be raising money for cancer research, paying tribute to both survivors and victims.
The overnight event, explained Ginny Lynch, the village's volunteer chairwoman, will be held at Lynbrook South Middle School on June 2 and 3, beginning at 8 p.m., and at least one representative from each team will be running or walking along the school's track at all times. "I think Relay for Life just gives people a sense of hope that there are so many people who care and are willing to give their time to raise money to combat cancer," Lynch said.
Local bands will entertain the participants, and a disc jockey will provide background music. A scavenger hunt and a pie-eating contest are also planned. "We get together to celebrate hope, but we try to make it a fun-filled event," Vlavianos said.
At nightfall, a luminaria, or candle-lighting ceremony, will be held. Participants will write messages of hope on white paper bags, memorializing survivors and illuminating the perimeter of the track.
"I just couldn't believe how many people were there, considering last year was the first year we did it," said Mallory Schlou, 19, a Lynbrook High School alumna who, as a team captain in 2006, helped her group raise more than $10,000. Schlou's grandmother died of cancer in January of 2006, and that inspired her to become actively involved. "I hope that this year can beat the money that was made last year," Schlou added.
According to the village's Relay for Life Web site, Lynbrook residents have already raised nearly $27,000. Lynch said she expects the village to raise at least as much as last year - in which case Lynbrook would remain one of the most successful fund-raising communities since Relay for Life came to the county in 2000.
"It's hard to find anybody who hasn't been personally touched by cancer," Lynch added.
For more information about the event or to register or donate money, log on to www.acsevents.org or contact Lynch at (516) 593-8580.
Comments about this story? DTeigman@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 246.
