Saturday’s Relay For Life turned the track at Revere High School into a ring of hope surrounding the community members and survivors who have been affected by cancer. Ten teams were walking for local families, friends and survivors.
The 18-hour event began at 3 p.m. and ran into the next morning.
Amy Glazer of the American Cancer Society, along with co-chairs Jackie Sage and Bonnie Parker, worked with teams and sponsors of Revere Relay For Life to make this year’s event successful.
“We have such a great group of people working to make this event happen, it has been great, everyone has been doing so much to help,” Sage said.
“We have raised over $15,000 as of [Friday], just leading up to this event. Our goal is $25,000 and we can still do it. The community has really pulled together to make this year a success,” Glazer said just as the event began. “People can still donate! All they have to do is go to our relay website, relayforlife.org/revere. We are confident that we will reach our goal with all of the support we have.”
There was a strong the sense of community was at this year’s event. Team captain of Miles for Miles, Tori Scheaffer, walks for her father Miles Scheaffer. Tori’s grandmother and Miles’ mother, Joyce Ridgeway, was also walking in his memory.
“He fought so hard. He was very positive through his fight,” Ridgeway said. She was so proud of her son, for staying strong and never giving up. “He was a great man, and he always said that anything that happened was God’s will.”
Miles’ wife, Marge DeMund Scheaffer, works as an OBGYN for Summa Health System, a sponsor of the Relay For Life event. As a part of team Miles for Miles, she wanted to spread the word about the American Cancer Society and everything they can do to help.
“People need to be aware of everything they can help with. They offer assistance in so many ways, even helping to get patients to and from appointments, so that they have one less thing to worry about, Marge DeMund Scheaffer said.
“Pretty much anything you see, at doctor’s offices and clinics, or even on websites, is information provided by the efforts of the ACS. As a society there is so much we can do to push progress. It’s all about awareness and being willing to help out even a little,” Marge DeMund Scheaffer added.
Survivor, Lynne Johnson and husband Dick, said they were proud to attend this event. Lynne is a breast cancer survivor who works at the Diocese of Cleveland.
Her husband Dick was happy to speak about her fight and the fact that she never gave up.
“She fought this. We had hope throughout the entire thing. We knew the day that Bishop Lennon blessed her, she was going to be fine. She is more than fine,” Dick said.
Lynne’s doctor, Dr. Hanspreet Kaur, was also in attendance and helped make the relay happen. She and her team were selling the Luminaria and placing them around the track preparing for the ceremony.
The Revere Relay For Life teams can raise money until August 31, and a local restaurant, Musketeer’s Bar and Grill, will continue to help out. Musketeer’s has hosted several fundraisers; including special nights where part of the proceeds go to the relay.
Revere Relay’s next fundraising event will be from 4-9 p.m. on July 12, at Musketeer’s Bar and Grill in Richfield.
Musketeer’s is located at 3027 Brecksville Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286. For more information call (330) 659-4114.
Visit the photo gallery for more on Revere’s Relay For Life 2012.
For further information or to donate to Revere Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org/revere or check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/revererelay.
Amy Glazer, of the American Cancer Society, can be reached at (888) 227-6446 x2210 or Amy.Glazer@cancer.org.
