First-Ever Relay for Life Comes to Paramus

Groups throughout the Paramus community will be teaming up over the next few months to take part in the fight against cancer as the first-ever Relay For Life event comes to Paramus this June.

The signature fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society which supports research and support to cancer patients and their families is set for June 14 and June 15 at the Paramus High School track.  Relay for Life is an overnight event from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. done to show that cancer never sleeps. 

Relay committee member Erica Dipasquale addressed the community Tuesday at the mayor and council meeting inviting all to participate as the goal is to make this a community event.  

With a theme that focuses on sports and competition “Spartan Nation: Tonight We Bleed Purple,” all areas of the community from schools, businesses and sports teams are encouraged to form a team and participate in this relay. The teams that raise the most funds will be recognized during the Relay event, said Dipasquale.

The goal is to raise $50,000 in this first annual event a goal which Mayor Richard LaBarbiera says this community is sure to meet and may even exceed.

Other North Jersey towns host Relay for Life such as Hasbrouck Heights which is gearing up for its third event this year and Ramsey, which according to DiPasquale raises more than $200,000 each year. She says she hopes to see Paramus one day reach that goal.

Team members can take part in activities throughout the night which include the lumanaria ceremony honoring loved ones who have or are battling cancer, the Fight Back Ceremony which works to raise awareness, prevention and treatment and the Survivor Walk featuring survivors who will be honored and will take the first lap starting off the Relay.

There will be a  kick-off event on Feb. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Paramus High School cafeteria for those looking for more information on how to form a team. More information can be found online at www.relayforlife.org/paramusNJ.

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