Relay for Life West Hartford Preparing for Annual June Fundraiser

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Hartford recently held its kick-off event at Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar launching its new season of awareness and fundraising.

Volunteers, team captains, team members, local business sponsors, cancer survivors and their families gathered at the restaurant on Sunday, Feb. 19 to welcome the 2012 event. Also in attendance were Scott Slifka, West Hartford mayor, and Harry Captain, West Hartford Town Council member.

Co-chairs, cancer survivor Kevin Zoeller and Mike Isko presented an inspirational program celebrating the victories achieved over cancer, recognizing the survivors and caregivers and reminding everyone about the vital importance of continuing to support this important annual event.

Attendees viewed a film of last year’s Relay For Life event featuring moving testimonials from volunteers who explained “why we relay for life in West Hartford.” Alanna Goldberg explained in the film why she and other members of her team relay for her son, Cayden. “We do it for [Cayden] who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 6 months old and now he just celebrated his 7th birthday and we’re all about celebrating more birthdays.”

Co-chairs Zoeller and Isko also announced that of West Hartford had made a generous contribution in memory of Miguel Godoy who passed away in 2011 of esophageal cancer. Miguel’s wife and sons attended the Kick-Off event. Coldwell Banker’s contribution will be used to create a carnival at the June Relay For Life event featuring bounce houses, dunking booths, games and other family-friendly activities designed to attract more attendees to the event.

Dr. Kristen Zarfos, Medical Director of the Comprehensive Breast Care Center of St. Francis Care, shared with the group important information on the latest research in cancer treatment and prevention.

Relay For Life of West Hartford would also like to thank for their continuing generous support, hosting the kick-off event for the past four years.

The West Hartford Relay For Life will take place on June 2-3, 2012 at at 29 Wampanoag Drive in West Hartford. Last year numerous individuals participated in the event which raised more than $105,000 for cancer research and resources. Relay For Life is the primary fundraising and community action engine of the American Cancer Society.

For more information about the Relay For Life of West Hartford, to find out how to volunteer, please contact Alexis Maliga at (203) 379-4827 or alexis.maliga@cancer.org. More information can also be found at rflwesthartford.com. 

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life 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. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their campsites during Relay.

This information was provided by the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life West Hartford.