Relay for Life Coming to Town

Relay for Life is coming to Weston and Westport.

The cancer-awareness event — which, according to relayforlife.org was founded in 1985 "when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society" and is now held in communities around the world — is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.

But on March 1, organizers are holding a kick-off event at .

Patch recently talked to Ricky Rivera, a senior at Weston High School about the event that joins the two towns.

“Relay for Life is important because it is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease,” Rivera told Patch. “It’s more than just a fundraiser to support cancer research. It’s an event that brings awareness and shares how prevalent of an issue it is across the nation.”

Rivera said Weston and Westport have never hosted a Relay event before.

“This will be a big team up since both towns are close to each other,” he said. “It’s truly something to look forward to.”

Rivera said he got involved with the event alongside student government co-president Anahita Daghoghi.

“Being new to the community, there’s a lot of work to be done and we’re definitely trying to tie both communities of Weston and Westport with this event, but [also include] neighboring communities too, inviting them to help and participate,” he said.

Rivera said the kick off event, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Weston High School, is aimed towards “engaging volunteers in recruiting and assembling teams, seeking community support, coordinating logistics, securing donated refreshments and prizes, planning entertainment and lending their support in any way.”

“We will explain to the community what exactly Relay for Life is and explain how they too can be a part of something great,” he said.

The walk

The actual Relay for Life event is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.

“This year’s teams will camp out at Weston High School on the fields and take turns walking or running around the track,” he said. “Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays occur as overnight events.”

Rivera said the event brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups—“people from all walks of life”—all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts “to create a world with more birthdays and less cancer by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back.”

Getting involved

There are many ways those interested in the Relay can get involved. Rivera said people can register teams, join the Relay committee, sign up to be a corporate sponsor or volunteer to get involved in the fight against cancer.

Those interested should visit relayforlife.org/westonwestportct or email meghan.mccaffrey@cancer.org.

Editor's Note: A photo provided by the American Cancer Society was originally taken by the Weston Forum. It has been removed.