The Relay for Life of Voorhees is returning to Eastern Regional High School this year, and those planning the Relay are hoping residents can help the event come back bigger and better than ever.
That was the message at the Relay for Life of Voorhees rally held at the Voorhees Diner Tuesday, Feb. 10.
“Basically, our plan is to come back bigger and better and build on years past,” said Jeanette Golden, event chair of last year’s Relay for Life of Voorhees and one of the main founders of the Voorhees Relay several years ago.
In 2014, the venue for the Voorhees Relay fell through, and the event had to be moved to the neighboring Marlton Relay at Cherokee High School, but this year the event is back in town.
“We were grateful to have Marlton last year because our venue fell through unfortunately, but we are so happy to have Eastern High School this year, and we’ve been there twice now, and we had a fantastic turnout,” Golden said.
Across the nation each year in late spring, Relay for Life events take place as participants celebrate year-long fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society.
The events pull together cancer survivors, cancer caregivers and family, friends and any person affected by the disease to camp overnight at a track and walk laps to symbolize how the fight against cancer is akin to working together to win a relay-like race.
“It gives the fundraisers — the people who have worked hard and had fundraisers all throughout the year — a chance to enjoy a really great celebration and to honor the survivors, honor the caregivers, and to acknowledge and celebrate the good deed that they’ve done,” said Sarah Donsky, chairperson of this year’s event.
This year, the overall fundraising goal for the Voorhees Relay is set at $50,000, about $10,000 more than the amount raised the last time the event was held at Eastern.
For those unsure about registering and raising money for the event, Donsky advises people to come see the Luminaria Ceremony, where bags with lights are placed alongside the track in the dark to honor those with cancer and those who have passed because of the disease.
“It’s this absolutely amazing moment where you get to remember and honor the loved ones you lost and your current loved ones who are battling their fight, and we have this moment of silence…and it’s just so overwhelmingly beautiful,” Donsky said.
However, for all who will be at this year’s Voorhees Relay, missing will be entertainment chair Pam Notaro, who lost her battle with cancer in December.
Golden, herself a multiple time cancer survivor, said Notaro was her best friend and hero, and she was planning for this year’s relay as long as she was able.
“Up until the very week before she went into hospice care, and she died three days after that, she was planning entertainment for this coming Relay,” Golden said. “That’s how committed she was, knowing — so she’s my hero.”
Golden said it was those lost to cancer, Notaro and countless others, who continually drive her to continue the fight against cancer and raise money to eventually eradicate the disease.
“My kids are not going to get cancer, because I’m doing something about it,” Golden said.
The 2015 Relay for Life of Voorhees is scheduled to take place at Eastern Regional High School from 6 p.m. on Friday, June 12 until 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.
Those interested in registering for the race, joining a team of registrants or simply learning more can visit relayforlife.org/ voorheescamdenconj, visit the “Relay for Life of Voorhees Camden County NJ” Facebook page or email Relayforlifeofvoorheesnj@gmail.com.
