By ALEX COSTELLO
Now, two years later, she is cancer free. Like many cancer survivors, she wanted to find a way to give back to the people that helped her and also to find a cure for the disease that could have claimed her life. So when Ramalho heard that Oceanside would be hosting its first Relay for Life, she knew it would be the perfect way for her to help.
"Some fliers started to go up, so my girlfriend and I decided to go to the first meeting and see what it�s all about. And it was really moving," Ramalho said. "So we decided, lets get on board."
According to Dr. Herb Brown, superintendent of Oceanside Schools, the American Cancer Society, which sponsors the Relay for Life, had contacted him in pervious years about hosting an event. Until now, though, Oceanside didn�t have enough volunteers to staff all the committees that would be needed to organize the event. This year, Sara Dowler, district health coordinator, stepped up to take charge of organizing the event.
�Relay for Life did go to Dr. Brown in the past, but there was really no one from district who was willing to step it up and do all the legwork,� Dowler said. �And for me, personally, with all the people in my life that have had cancer, I wanted to do it.�
It seemed right that 2009 would be the first year for Oceanside to do a Relay for Life. �We have a wellness committee, district-wide, which comprises wellness leaders from every building,� said Denise Kiernan, director of physical education for Oceanside, and a first-time Relay for Life participant. �We were planning on doing a culminating event in the district that promotes wellness and awareness of cancer-fighting. And this is what we planned on doing.�
The event will be held overnight at the track of Oceanside High School. People from the entire community, not just the schools, will be participating. The first part of the night is a Survivor�s Dinner at the high school cafeteria, sponsored by the Oceanside Department of Community Activities and Oceanside Kiwanis, for cancer survivors and their families. (Survivors are encouraged to register for the event by e-mailing Dowler at sdowler@oceanside.k12.ny.us, or by calling American Cancer Society representative Michelle Maugieri at (516) 921-6082, ext. 3010.)
After the dinner, at 7 p.m., the actual event starts. The first people onto the track are cancer survivors, who run one �Survivor�s Lap� to kick off the night. After that, everyone jumps in.
Participants form into teams and raise money, which is donated to cancer research. The goal is, for the entirety of the event, there is always someone from a team on the track.
Ramalho is participating in the Relay for Life as a member of Team Speedbumps. �My sister came up with [the name],� Ramalho said. �She said it�s like those little bumps in the road that life throws at you to tell you to take some time, slow down and live it up.� As of press time, Ramalho�s team has raised more than $3,100.
Brown, who is also a first-time participant, is part of the District Dynamos. �It�s a new experience, and I�m looking forward to it,� he said. �My wife�s going to be doing the relay, she�s part of the team.�
As of press time, the Oceanside Relay for Life has raised more than $41,000 and has nearly 650 participants. �A month ago, it was 10 teams and $2,000,� Dowler said. �So every day it�s more teams and thousands of dollars more.�
All of the elementary schools in the district are having mini-relays the week before the actual Relay for Life. All of the money raised from those will be donated, as will any funds collected at Oceanside�s First Annual Film Festival on June 5. While registration for the event ended on May 28, those who whish to come to the high school and show support and donate money are still welcome.
�From everything I�ve seen so far,� Brown said, �it seems like it�s going to be a big event.�
Comments about this story? ACostello@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 207.
