Relay For Life of Weston/Westport Receives Special Recognition

The American Cancer Society’s New England Division held its annual Relay For Life Leadership Summit on Sept. 23 and 24 in Springfield, Mass. The 2011 Relay For Life of Weston/Westport was recognized as the recipient of the Top New Community Relay in the state.

Justine Belport and Brian Lamy, volunteers with the Relay For Life of Weston/Westport were present to accept the award.  

“I am honored to be a part of this uplifting community event,” said Lamy. “I have made a personal commitment to help raise awareness and funds to support the fight against cancer. Seeing the survivors, caregivers, families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and other members of our community participate each year gives me the confidence that one day we will defeat this disease.”

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Weston/Westport is seeking local volunteers – walkers, cancer survivors, caregivers, community leaders, anyone wanting to make a difference – to organize and recruit fundraising teams, garner community support, coordinate logistics, and lend a hand to ensure the success of the 2012 event, scheduled for May 5 at Weston High School. Volunteer committee meetings will be held to begin the planning process for the Relay For Life event, which supports the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back against the disease.

Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out at a public gathering area, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track at all times throughout the evening. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life – all aimed at celebrating the lives of those who have had cancer, remembering those lost, and fighting back against the disease.

"Relay For Life is all about our community uniting with the American Cancer Society and supporting its efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays," said Patrice Lestrange Bedrosian, Connecticut Director of Communications for the Society. "Volunteers and participants who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event are making a commitment to let Weston/Westport know that cancer can be defeated.”

If you would like to join the Relay For Life as a team participant or volunteer, call the American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345, or visit www.RelayForLife.org.