Gloucester County’s Relay For Life aims to celebrate survivors, remember those who have passed, and fight back against cancer.
There will be approximately 1,688,780 new cancer cases in the U.S. in 2017, according to the American Cancer Society. Of those cases, an estimated 51,680 will be in New Jersey.
Hundreds of people will gather in Washington Lake Park on June 3 to help raise money and awareness to lower these statistics at the annual Gloucester County Relay For Life.
Carolyn Feldhaus, a resident of Pitman, fell in love with Relay For Life 10 years ago after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Feldhaus will be celebrating 10 years in remission at this year’s event. Her team, “Team Supermom,” was the inspiration for the theme of superheroes, Carrie Worthington, event chair, said.
“It’s the most fun way to fight cancer,” Feldhaus said. “You feel empowered, you’re doing something and being proactive.”
Held from noon to midnight, Relay For Life will offer hours of entertainment and themed laps. The event will begin with the opening ceremony, followed by the survivor and caregiver lap, representing the “celebrate” element of the event’s slogan, “celebrate, remember, fight back.” According to Worthington, the event typically has about 75 survivors in attendance.
“The first Relay I went to, doing the survivor lap, everyone was so happy for us, it just made you feel like, ‘yes, you did this,’ so I kept going ever since then,” Feldhaus said. “I felt so empowered, I wasn’t just a cancer patient, I was someone who was actually doing something about it by doing Relay.”
Throughout the afternoon and evening, participants can enjoy live music and entertainment, a human foosball tournament, zumba, a pie eating contest and more. Around 5 p.m., the fight back ceremony will take place, educating attendees on the resources the American Cancer Society provides and how to take action against the powerful disease.
“The event has a lot to do with fundraising and a lot about fun, but we do take those moments to talk about what is the point of this money and what are we doing with it,” Worthington said.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will go directly to the American Cancer Society. Worthington said the goal is to raise at least $100,000, having raised around $90,000 last year.
The American Cancer Society not only conducts cancer research, but also provides many patient services for those diagnosed with cancer, as well as their caregivers. To name a few, ACS has the Road to Recovery program, providing transportation to patients who need rides to their treatment; Hope Lodges, a place where patients and their caregivers can find a home when treatment is far away; and Look Good Feel Better, helping women cope with skin changes and hair loss.
“It’s important to keep in mind there are a lot of things that the ACS does to help people in all stages of their cancer journey,” Worthington said. “Whether it is the research that we support that helps get that drug you’re going to need, or just talking to another breast cancer survivor about what the process is, what you can expect what you’re going to go through.”
At the end of the night, participants can participate in the final element of Relay For Life, “remember,” with the luminaria ceremony.
“The luminaria lap is a time to reflect, and not just on people who have passed, but on people who have survived. It’s a quiet way of rejoicing them and remembering those who have passed,” Feldhaus said.
Attendees can decorate a luminaria bag in honor of someone who is suffering from cancer, has passed from the disease or who has survived. The bags are typically lit from within and the silent lap surrounded by them is meant to honor those for whom Relay For Life was created.
“The ceremony is one of the most moving parts of the entire night,” Worthington said. “We honor people who have passed, and also celebrate those that are still fighting, but it’s really more about remembering.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the event, visit the team tents, play games and enjoy the music. Advance registration is not required, however those interested can arrive as early as 10 a.m.
Feldhaus said those who are new to Relay For Life could expect to leave feeling accomplished and empowered.
“Someone once asked me why I relay,” Feldhaus said. “I stopped, looked around, and saw everybody and everything at the event, and I said, “How could I not relay?” It’s just a part of me now.”
For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/washingtontwpnj, or check out the “Relay For Life of Gloucester County, NJ” Facebook page.
