The American Cancer Society is awed once again by the reception that the ACS Relay For Life of Delran has received from the Delran area community.   On Friday May 29th, Relay For Life of Delran took over the football field at Delran High School for the third year.  

Over 2000 members of the community and surrounding areas participated in the overnight fundraising celebration because "cancer never sleeps," and, for one whole night, neither did they.  

 

 

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated.  Since 1985, Relay For Life has spread to over 4,700 communities in the U.S. and has become a worldwide movement, taking place in 19 countries.

 

Taking place over 15 hours, the Relay For Life of Delran hosted all night live musical entertainment, children’s activities, contests and theme laps throughout the night to keep the momentum up and the participants engaged.  

The evening opened with a welcome to the crowd by Delran High School Principal, John Fricke, who re-iterated that Relay will always have a home at Delran High.  Following Mr. Fricke’s welcome was a moving speech given by a young cancer survivor, Taylor Gilbride, who is a student at Holy Cross High School.  Congressman John Adler offered remarks and was presented with a “Relay For Life Fight Back Award” by Aimee Belgard of The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for his many activities in the area of health care initiatives. Mayor Ken Paris and Assemblyman Jack Conners were also on hand to open the event.

 

Relay For Life participants at select locations are encouraged to enroll in the American Cancer Society’s Third Cancer Prevention study.  Relay For Life of Delran was chosen as the host for the Third Cancer Prevention Study (CPS-3) for South Jersey. CPS-3 is looking to enroll, individuals 30-60 years of age, who have never had a cancer diagnosis, and willing to commit to participant in a long-term study.  CPS-3 will help us to better understand genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer. CPS-1 in the 50’s linked smoking to cancer and CPS-2 in the 80’s linked obesity to certain types of cancer.   By the abundance of participants walking the track wearing a CPS-3 sticker, it was clear that many of the Delran relayers stepped up and enrolled in the study.

 

Although final numbers won’t be released until August, Marissa Levin, American Cancer Society staff partner for the Relay For Life of Delran states “When all is said and done, we expect we raised over $200,000”.

 

John French, Relay For Life Event Chair shared that "In just three years, the Relay For Life of Delran will have   contributed over $500,000 to the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. This is a truly remarkable event, embraced not only by Delran, but by the surrounding communities as well."

 

Well done Delran – Again!