Relay For Life of Wilbraham kicks off Feb. 28

Date: 2/25/2009

WILBRAHAM -- The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers and teams for the first ever Relay For Life of Wilbraham Community. Organizers are hosting a kick-off celebration for the Relay on Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Alumni Memorial Chapel. The kick-off event is the perfect opportunity to share with residents the importance of Relay For Life in the fight against cancer.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones lost, commit to fight back through healthy lifestyle changes, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest grassroots fundraising event in the nation. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups ... people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of eliminating cancer.

Long-time Wilbraham residents David and Michelle Glidden have been selected to serve as the honorary chairs for the Relay For Life of Wilbraham Community. Both David and Michelle have been actively involved in the fight against cancer, volunteering their time with the American Cancer Society for many years in a variety of ways. David currently serves on the New England Board of Directors, is co-chair of the Evening of Hope Gala in Springfield, and was part of the society s research committee for six years. Michelle has also been involved with the planning of the Evening of Hope Gala, and serves as a Reach to Recovery volunteer, mentoring breast cancer survivors.

Relay For Life is an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as much as it is a fundraiser, said Michelle. Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event, as a volunteer or participant, have made a commitment to fight back against this disease and let the community know that you can beat cancer.

Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend their support in any way.

If you would like to RSVP for the Relay kick-off on Feb. 28, volunteer on the Relay For Life committee or serve as a team captain, contact Kayla Peloquin at 348-0717 or visit www.RelayForLife.org.