Fleming's Steakhouse Will Host Relay for Life Kickoff Event

On Sunday, Feb. 19, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Hartford will officially get underway as cancer survivors, caregivers, families and organizers gather at Fleming’s Steakhouse at 4:30 p.m. for a kick-off event to celebrate last year’s success and launch fundraising efforts for 2012.

Co-Chairs, cancer survivor Kevin Zoeller and Michael Isko will welcome the teams and lead the charge to a successful 2012 Relay. Survivors and caregivers will explain why they relay, how the American Cancer Society is providing them with resources and support.  

Dr. Kristen A. Zarfos, Director of the Saint Francis Hospital Comprehensive Breast Health Center, is coming to the kickoff to talk about the best cure: early detection and prevention.

Last year, the Relay For Life of West Hartford raised $101,000 enabling the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer in West Hartford by supporting vital, cutting-edge cancer research, as well as important life-changing services such as medicine, transportation, lodging, and support.

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 all forms of the disease.

In West Hartford, the Relay teams camp out at the Northwest Catholic High School track. Team members take turns on the track, making sure to have a representative on the track at all times, because cancer never sleeps.

Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, and also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay. This year, thanks to generous support by Coldwell Banker, teams will be running carnival events for the entire family to enjoy! 

Come one, come all for a great day of family fun, music, and information about all the American Cancer Society does for survivors, caregivers and the health of our community.

The 2012 Relay For Life of West Hartford is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3 at Northwest Catholic High School, 29 Wampanoag Drive in West Hartford. A number of other fundraising community events in support of the Relay For Life of West Hartford will be held in the coming months.

Anyone interested in forming a team, volunteering for the event, joining the planning committee, or just learning more about Relay For Life is encouraged to attend the Feb. 19 kickoff event at Fleming’s Steakhouse.

Relay For Life of West Hartford would like to thank Fleming’s Steakhouse for their continuing generous support, hosting the kick-off  the last three years.

For more information about the Relay For Life of West Hartford, to find out how to volunteer, or to RSVP for the Relay Kick-off, 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 combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, the Society fights for every birthday threatened by every cancer in the community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.6 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about the American Cancer Society or to get help, call anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

This information was submitted by the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of West Hartford.