Every week, eight Cayuga County residents are diagnosed with cancer. Another three people die from the disease.
In an effort to find a cure and reduce those numbers, a group of local residents is teaming up to revive Relay For Life, an American Cancer Society fund-raiser that has been defunct locally since 2001.
“(Relay is) a great deal of fun,” said Nance Rifanburg, American Cancer Society community executive for Cayuga and Seneca counties. “At one point you're crying, and the next minute you're laughing.”
For Rifanburg, of Auburn, restarting the local Relay for Life, a 16-hour, overnight event that raises money for cancer research and survivor services, is more than just something to do. It's personal.
Both of her parents lived with her for years as they fought - and eventually succumbed to - colon cancer (her mother) and prostate cancer (her father).
“It is not just my job,” Rifanburg said of planning the relay, which will be held at Holland Stadium in June. “It is my passion.”
Several other relay planning committee members have their own stories to tell. Some are survivors of cancer themselves and are looking for a way to give back to the community. Others, like Scipio resident Sue Jayne, have watched as their loved ones battled the disease. Jayne's husband survived prostate cancer; her brother, grandmother and uncle all died from skin, liver and bladder and colon cancer, respectively.
Relay for Life started 21 years ago, when a colorectal surgeon decided to circle a track for 24 hours straight, and, through donations, raised $27,000 to fight cancer. Today, there are more than 4,500 relay events nationwide.
Auburn held its own relay at Casey Park for several years, Rifanburg said, but it wasn't a normal relay because it tended to not be family-oriented. It fizzled out in 2001 after the volunteer group that had been doing it for years “burned out” and there was no one left to take the lead, she said.
Thus far, that hasn't been a problem for the 2006 committee. At its first meeting in September 2005, the group was comprised of three or four people. It has now grown to 25.
These individuals are charged with the task of planning the event - entertainment, food, logistics - and explaining to people what exactly the relay is. It's a very unique sort of fund-raiser, and it can take a while to comprehend, Rifanburg said.
The basic gist is that people form teams, and these teams do all that they can (letters, raffles, bake sales, etc.) to raise money before - and during - the event. The local committee's goal is to have 40 teams that would raise a total of $50,000 for the American Cancer Society. At the actual relay, team members take turns circling the track throughout the night, symbolizing the idea that cancer never sleeps.
When members are not walking, they're chowing down (Riganburg calls relay an “eat-a-thon”), dancing to a live band, playing a game or sleeping in their tents (cat naps are allowed).
There are also special ceremonies to honor survivors, the stars of relay. And on Friday night, candles are stationed around the track for a poignant ceremony that pays tribute to both survivors and those who have died from cancer.
“If there's one piece that really is the heart and soul of relay, it is the luminaria ceremony,” Riganburg said. “It speaks to everyone.”
Yet though there isn't a dry eye in the house after the ceremony, much of the rest of the night is upbeat and a celebration of life.
“We always say that relay is a kind of thank you for all the hard work you've done to raise money,” Rifanburg said.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or at linda.ober@lee.net
“(Relay is) a great deal of fun,” said Nance Rifanburg, American Cancer Society community executive for Cayuga and Seneca counties. “At one point you're crying, and the next minute you're laughing.”
For Rifanburg, of Auburn, restarting the local Relay for Life, a 16-hour, overnight event that raises money for cancer research and survivor services, is more than just something to do. It's personal.
Both of her parents lived with her for years as they fought - and eventually succumbed to - colon cancer (her mother) and prostate cancer (her father).
“It is not just my job,” Rifanburg said of planning the relay, which will be held at Holland Stadium in June. “It is my passion.”
Several other relay planning committee members have their own stories to tell. Some are survivors of cancer themselves and are looking for a way to give back to the community. Others, like Scipio resident Sue Jayne, have watched as their loved ones battled the disease. Jayne's husband survived prostate cancer; her brother, grandmother and uncle all died from skin, liver and bladder and colon cancer, respectively.
Relay for Life started 21 years ago, when a colorectal surgeon decided to circle a track for 24 hours straight, and, through donations, raised $27,000 to fight cancer. Today, there are more than 4,500 relay events nationwide.
Auburn held its own relay at Casey Park for several years, Rifanburg said, but it wasn't a normal relay because it tended to not be family-oriented. It fizzled out in 2001 after the volunteer group that had been doing it for years “burned out” and there was no one left to take the lead, she said.
Thus far, that hasn't been a problem for the 2006 committee. At its first meeting in September 2005, the group was comprised of three or four people. It has now grown to 25.
These individuals are charged with the task of planning the event - entertainment, food, logistics - and explaining to people what exactly the relay is. It's a very unique sort of fund-raiser, and it can take a while to comprehend, Rifanburg said.
The basic gist is that people form teams, and these teams do all that they can (letters, raffles, bake sales, etc.) to raise money before - and during - the event. The local committee's goal is to have 40 teams that would raise a total of $50,000 for the American Cancer Society. At the actual relay, team members take turns circling the track throughout the night, symbolizing the idea that cancer never sleeps.
When members are not walking, they're chowing down (Riganburg calls relay an “eat-a-thon”), dancing to a live band, playing a game or sleeping in their tents (cat naps are allowed).
There are also special ceremonies to honor survivors, the stars of relay. And on Friday night, candles are stationed around the track for a poignant ceremony that pays tribute to both survivors and those who have died from cancer.
“If there's one piece that really is the heart and soul of relay, it is the luminaria ceremony,” Riganburg said. “It speaks to everyone.”
Yet though there isn't a dry eye in the house after the ceremony, much of the rest of the night is upbeat and a celebration of life.
“We always say that relay is a kind of thank you for all the hard work you've done to raise money,” Rifanburg said.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or at linda.ober@lee.net
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.