AUBURN - Hundreds of white bags lined the track at Holland Stadium Friday, each recognizing someone touched by cancer.
On the track, more than 500 registered to walk through the night in memory or in honor of those names at the Cayuga County Relay for Life.
At kickoff, many of the young children, teens, tweens, twenty-somethings, moms, dads, grandfolks, survivors and their caregivers shared a common goal: to beat cancer for good.
All around the stadium, tears and hugs were mixed with smiles and celebration. To celebrate her 12th birthday, Katie Holbein, brought her party and gifts in the form of donations to the Relay.
The walk is a tribute to her grandfather, Richard Culleton, who died seven years ago from cancer.
“I wanted to support him,” said Holbein, a sixth-grader at Skaneateles Central School. “I thought this would be fun.”
Katie's Dream Team raised more than $500 for the event. The idea was all her own, father Jon Holbein said.
“We're very proud of Katie,” he said. “She's got a great group of friends, too.”
It's these gestures that touch survivors like John Nicandri of Auburn, who was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago.
“To me it's an inspiration,” Nicandri, 57, said of the Relay. “Hopefully it will spread the word to people to get the screenings, the tests, they need to do.”
Nicandri was one of about 30 cancer survivors who made the first lap around the track before settling in for dinner.
“It really is great to be able to network with other survivors,” he said.
Most participants have some connection with cancer, be it friend, co-worker, parent, sibling, in-law or spouse.
“The biggest thing for me is just watching so many people go through it,” said Pamela Seamans, an R.N. taking a walking shift for the Auburn Memorial Hospital team. “We hope we don't ever have to see it happen.”
Each year, 400 cases are diagnosed in Cayuga County and 156 die from cancer, Mayor Timothy Lattimore said in a proclamation to start the relay.
“I lost my dad to cancer 13 years ago,” event co-chairwoman Kelley Gridley said. “He never got to meet my daughter. That's one of the reasons she's so involved.”
Samantha Gridley, 11, has her eye on a top spot on the organizing committee next year, she said. Co-chairwoman Lisa Giannone said better weather helped the turnout for the Cayuga County Relay event in its second consecutive year.
There are more than 4,800 relay events nationwide where teams of walkers raise money that goes to American Cancer Society research.
“I think it supports the effort and the cause,” said Jeanne Stebbins of Seneca Falls, whose sister survived cancer. “The more money we can bring in for research, the less we'll have to deal with this disease.”
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
At kickoff, many of the young children, teens, tweens, twenty-somethings, moms, dads, grandfolks, survivors and their caregivers shared a common goal: to beat cancer for good.
All around the stadium, tears and hugs were mixed with smiles and celebration. To celebrate her 12th birthday, Katie Holbein, brought her party and gifts in the form of donations to the Relay.
The walk is a tribute to her grandfather, Richard Culleton, who died seven years ago from cancer.
“I wanted to support him,” said Holbein, a sixth-grader at Skaneateles Central School. “I thought this would be fun.”
Katie's Dream Team raised more than $500 for the event. The idea was all her own, father Jon Holbein said.
“We're very proud of Katie,” he said. “She's got a great group of friends, too.”
It's these gestures that touch survivors like John Nicandri of Auburn, who was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago.
“To me it's an inspiration,” Nicandri, 57, said of the Relay. “Hopefully it will spread the word to people to get the screenings, the tests, they need to do.”
Nicandri was one of about 30 cancer survivors who made the first lap around the track before settling in for dinner.
“It really is great to be able to network with other survivors,” he said.
Most participants have some connection with cancer, be it friend, co-worker, parent, sibling, in-law or spouse.
“The biggest thing for me is just watching so many people go through it,” said Pamela Seamans, an R.N. taking a walking shift for the Auburn Memorial Hospital team. “We hope we don't ever have to see it happen.”
Each year, 400 cases are diagnosed in Cayuga County and 156 die from cancer, Mayor Timothy Lattimore said in a proclamation to start the relay.
“I lost my dad to cancer 13 years ago,” event co-chairwoman Kelley Gridley said. “He never got to meet my daughter. That's one of the reasons she's so involved.”
Samantha Gridley, 11, has her eye on a top spot on the organizing committee next year, she said. Co-chairwoman Lisa Giannone said better weather helped the turnout for the Cayuga County Relay event in its second consecutive year.
There are more than 4,800 relay events nationwide where teams of walkers raise money that goes to American Cancer Society research.
“I think it supports the effort and the cause,” said Jeanne Stebbins of Seneca Falls, whose sister survived cancer. “The more money we can bring in for research, the less we'll have to deal with this disease.”
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
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