Relay for Life walkers fight cancer

Matthew Bernat
Jun 15, 2013
From left, Zoe Smith, Haily Saccone, and Emily Josephson, all of Rochester, participate in Friday's Relay for Life. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Members of Team B.A.R.B.I.E. arrive in costume to complement this year's theme "Heroes for Hope." BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Shannon Precourt loses 15 inches of hair courtesy of Jodie Perry. The hair was donated to make wigs for cancer patients. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Team Purple Sleepwalker, led by 13-year-old Jayme Walker, took part in Friday's Relay for Life. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Patrick Saltmarsh walks his grandson Brayden Saltmarsh around the track. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
From left, Sarah Belliveau, Nina Bourgeois, and Michael Kassabian look ready to hit the beach as they walk the track. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Members of Team Stack Pack have been coming to Relay for Life of Tri-Town for at least seven years. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
This was Team Castaway Cancer's first year at Relay for Life. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Cancer survivors took the stage during the Luminaria ceremony. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Candles and bags lined the track, each dedicated to someone who battled or is currently battling cancer. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Hope was the theme of the night. June Madeiros, who has been undergoing chemotherapy for 17 months said her 50th birthday was 10 days away. "I'm living with cancer, not dying from it. There's going to be 50 more birthdays after this one." BY GEORGIA SPARLING

Cancer survivors and their supporters from all walks of life turned out for the 8th annual Relay for Life of Tri-Town June 14-15.

This year, 104 registered walkers from 13 teams participated in the event, which raised funds for cancer programs and research.

“Heroes for Hope” was the theme and reminded participants to celebrate those people who beat cancer, remember loved ones lost, and to fight the disease.

Tri-Chair Caryn Hodges Coulombe said the event lost one of its founders when Bonnie Davidson died from cancer in April.

Earlier in the day, rain and clouds threatened to dampen the event. However, skies cleared just before walkers took to Old Rochester Regional High School's track at 6 p.m.

“I really believe she brought the beautiful weather and is here with us now,” Hodges said. Hodges has taken part in Relay for Life since 2005 when her daughter decided to participate.

“I came back the next year because I loved it so much,” she said. After that, she took on more responsibility and has helped organize the event for the past six years.

Tri-Chair Odd Johannessan noted the event draws many people. “We love them all, we take them all in, and we honor all of them,” Johannessan said.

Those present included Team Stack Pack, seven-year veterans of the event, and first time participants Team Purple Sleepwalker, who were led by their 13-year-old captain Jayme Walker.

Walker, of East Wareham, said she used to walk for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. “I wanted to put together a team with all my friends, and it was hard to get everybody together, but we did it,” Walker said.

For Team Stack Pack, sponsored by SEMASS, the event lets them remember loved ones. “Everybody here has lost a friend or relative to cancer. Not one of us is without that,” said team captain Jean Joseph.

The night also saw donations pour in. Taunton’s Shannon Precourt sat as Jodie Perry, of Hairlines Design Team in Fairhaven, cut off 15 inches of her hair. The locks will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. The program uses donated hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

By Friday evening the event had raised $32,000 towards a final goal of $50,000. Relay for Life is held overnight as teams camped out on ORR’s athletic fields, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track at all times.

Each year more than 4 million people participate in Relay for Life. The American Cancer Society invests the money raised into cancer research and providing free information and services to cancer patients and caregivers.

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