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| By Rick Sobey Staff Intern Can you name a better combination in the world than eating a satisfying meal while raising money for an essential organization? It's quite difficult to think of a better combination because who doesn't like to have a delicious meal and help others? The combination will be coming to the Pizza Shoppe in East Longmeadow in order to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The money will be going toward cancer research as well as helping on the local level for people who need to obtain rides to treatments and purchase wigs. The fundraising dinner hosted by Julianne Donahue will take place May 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. Donahue has recently started a group for the Relay for Life because of an individual who is very special to her. "I decided to start a team in honor of my father," Donahue said. "My father, Joe Dowd, has been a lung cancer survivor for over one year now." Donahue named the Relay for Life team Dowd's Crowd in her father's honor. Dowd's Crowd is made up of her family members including her two sisters, her brother, her husband and her three children. Dowd's Crowd will be attending the relay on May 30 and 31 at Springfield College. The event is overnight to symbolize that cancer never sleeps. Dowd used to work in the sales department of Reminder Publications. However, he was forced to leave his job in 2000 due to a double bypass procedure. According to Donahue, her father is very thankful that this relay team has been established. "My father was blown away by this team being in his honor," Donahue said. "I really don't think he ever expected any of this. He truly feels blessed and lucky." Donahue is also appreciative for all of the funding that has gone into cancer research, and she hopes that the funding will never stop. "I can't help but be so grateful for all the research that the American Cancer Society has done or I may not have had the chance to share this with my dad," Donahue said. "I wish for the research to continue to fight cancer and help other families. I know that my dad still needs the constant advances that are being made." The fundraising dinner at the Pizza Shoppe will consist of the full menu, and the owner will be donating a percentage of the sales to the Relay for Life. Screech, the mascot of the Springfield Falcons, will be attending the dinner. The mascot will be taking pictures with children for a donation of $2 per photograph. In addition to raising money at the dinner, Donahue will be taking money out of her paycheck every day for the important cause. She works at Optimum Massage Therapy in Springfield, and she will be donating five dollars from each massage therapy client to the Relay for Life during the months of April and May. Minnechaug Regional High School Donahue and Dowd's Crowd are not the only local people getting involved with the Relay for Life. A group at Minnechaug Regional High School has also recently been formed for the upcoming charity event. Senior Joseph McCormick and sophomore Katrina Trajkovski from the Minnechaug Key Club will be leading the team at the Relay for Life of Wilbraham & Monson Academy on April 24. The 12-hour event takes place between noon and midnight at the Wilbraham & Monson Academy track. The registration fee to participate is $10 per person, and the fundraising goal is $100 per person. McCormick believes that it is vital for the public to raise a good amount of money for this cause. "It is really important that we have a lot of people participating in this event," McCormick said. "We will make a difference and benefit others by being apart of the Relay for Life." Relay For Life is an event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team attempts to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. In order to form a team for the Relay for Life of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, fill out a team registration form with the team's name and the captain's name. Then, find family and friends to join the team and have every member complete a 'Participant and Survivor Registration Form.' For more information, contact Relay for Life of Wilbraham & Monson Academy event chair Kayla Peloquin via e-mail at kpeloquin@wmanet.org. |