South Windsor/Rockville Relay For Life Fundraising in Full Swing

Fundraising for the South Windsor/Rockville Relay for Life has kicked into high gear.

The 20th annual event already has 43 teams with 145 participants and has raised nearly $10,000 so far.

This year’s relay will have a superhero theme, according to Joe Durette, the advocacy and mission chair and member of the WAXtastic Wicks.

Durette, who is in his second year, said that he got involved with Relay for Life after his wife lost several uncles with whom they were close to cancer in the past couple of years.

“They were men we knew very well,” Durette said in a telephone interview. “They were dear to our heart. We’re doing this in memory of them.”

In addition, Durette said that his wife also has a nephew who is a survivor.

“We’ve definitely gotten ourselves in the mix, doing what we can to put an end to cancer,” he said.

The goal for this year’s South Windsor/Rockville Relay, which takes place at South Windsor High School on June 6 - 7, is to reach $180,000, Durette said.

The organizers are hoping for better weather than last year’s deluge, which required the event to take place inside South Windsor High School.

“It was awful,” Durette said with a laugh. “It was unbelievable how much rain we got. It’s got to be better than that.”

In addition to people dressing up as superheroes, Durette said this year’s event will feature local bands and a candlelight remembrance.