( pottstown relay for life: 14 years in the making )

pottstown relay for life: 14 years in the making       

by jennifer hetrick

it’s hard to believe that one of the single most successful community fundraisers  for the american cancer society in the state, country, and world is in its fourteenth year and perched right in our own backyard.

but it’s really not that hard to believe, after all, considering how mountains can be moved when people join together, their passion and care evident, and all at the local level—and all in working toward eradicating cancer with the relay for life of pottstown.

     

in 2010, the relay raised an astounding $729,661 across the efforts of its many volunteers and participants.

    

since its inaugural event in 1998, the relay for life of pottstown has raised more than $7.3 million, which of course says a lot about the thousands of cancer-connected hearts in the surrounding communities.

     

the relay for life of pottstown was also the first to introduce bark for life as a way to bring the fast-footed ways of fur kids into the worthy cause.

     

this year’s relay for life is slated for saturday and sunday, june 4 & 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at pottsgrove high school’s track.

     

kathy palladino, a participant of the relay and then survivor of breast cancer since 2006, is the captain of the family fusion team, a member of the survivor committee, and the grand marshal for this round. she describes the annual event as one increasingly successful because of its family feel.

     

“we support each other,” palladino says about everyone involved with the relay, painting out the fundraiser as a huge network of supporters acting and growing as a family each year, with hearts linked through invisible lines because of cancer affecting so many people’s lives.

     

palladino walks in memory of her parents and has had several aunts and uncles, along with her sister, touched by the painful whims of cancer.

    

today, she strongly advocates early detection, as her own cancer was contained in a milk duct, which meant her situation ended up less fatal than some. she is extremely grateful for this and digital mammograms now saving more women’s lives.

     

beyond 120 teams are signed up to fundraise at this year’s relay. the first relay had less than 20 teams, exemplifying how incredibly the relay has bloomed since those early days.

     

“it’s phenomenal,” palladino elaborates. “and a lot of youth teams have become involved.”

     

palladino says more young people participating seems to be tied to the fact that cancer is striking at earlier ages in life, and kids want to support their friends.

     

several years ago, a plant-tucked reflection garden became a part of the relay at the far corner of the track, with separate luminaria away from those trailing their way around the football field.

     

“we find our bags, sit, and hug,” palladino reveals about the reflection garden being one of the most special parts of the event—a place where everyone can take turns plopping down to slow a bit in their minds, and doing as the garden’s name directly implies, reflect on life, trials, challenges, and loved ones lost yet cherished always, along with those we’re lucky enough to still have at our sides.

     

“the more awareness, the better our chances of finding a cure,” palladino says, adding that hearing about more cases of remission is what she finds most rewarding about her part in the relay along with so many other dedicated volunteers, survivors, and supporters.

     

google “the relay for life of pottstown” to find out more, check out its new blog of personal stories, and search for it on facebook.