Relay for Life brings together communities

Fourteen years ago, Kathy Tyrrell was looking for her silver lining.

Tyrrell’s father had passed away from cancer, and the Shamong resident wanted to turn this tremendously negative event into something positive. She came across Medford’s Relay for Life, signed up and has never looked back.

“I think cancer is something that makes you feel alone a lot of times. This makes you feel like you’re not alone,” Tyrrell said. “And if you’ve lost someone, there’s other people here going through the same thing. It’s really helpful in that way.”

Tyrrell now serves as the volunteer event chair for Relay for Life Medford-Mt. Laurel. Medford has hosted the fundraiser for 15 years. Mt. Laurel’s event started five years ago. This is the first year the two towns have merged.

“It’s a really great event where the communities come together. There are survivors. There are caregivers. There are young kids and older people,” Tyrrell said. “It’s just a really nice community event.”

Relay for Life Medford-Mt. Laurel begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, and runs through 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 5, at the track at Lenape High School, 235 Hartford Road. Teams sign up, fundraise and, at the event, walk laps around the track.

“Relay for Life was started by a doctor who was suffering from cancer,” Tyrrell said. “The reason why it runs overnight is because cancer never sleeps. It’s to be there for those people who are awake in the middle of the night because they’re scared or don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Since its inception in 1985, Relay for Life has grown to include 4 million people in more than 20 countries. It’s the largest grassroots fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. And while some of the money raised goes toward research, a large portion stays in the communities where it originated.

“It is earmarked to go back to the services provided in Burlington County,” Tyrrell said.

These American Cancer Society services include Roads to Recovery, where volunteers give rides to those going to chemotherapy or treatment, and Look Good Feel Better, which helps teach women undergoing treatment how to cope with skin changes and hair loss by teaching scarf-tying, makeup applications and more. There is also (800) 227–2345, the 24-hour help line to give answers to those facing cancer.

“They can get information on anything — insurance questions, clinical trials, what to expect in their treatment,” Tyrrell said.

Relay for Life Medford-Mt. Laurel kicks off with an opening ceremony. Cancer survivors walk the first lap together, and then caregivers join for the second lap.

Teams set up tents inside of the track to act as home base for the overnight event. They bring their own food, but there are also on-site vendors. There are games and activities the entire time, too.

“Last year, we were playing kickball at 3 o’clock in the morning,” Tyrrell said with a laugh.

At 9 p.m., a Luminaria Ceremony is held, with white candle-lit bags lining the track.

“The Luminaria Ceremony is just so special,” Tyrrell said. “The bags are in honor of survivors or in memory of people we have lost, with names on them. At our event, we have a bagpiper come in and play, and all the lights are turned off on the track.”

These bags can also be purchased before the event for a $10 donation, which is part of the fundraising efforts by the participating teams. The American Cancer Society hopes each individual taking part raises at least $100. The Relay for Life Medford-Mt. Laurel has raised $36,253.69 as of last week, with 33 teams and 220 participants. The goal is 56 teams and $120,000.

“We set the goal based on what Mt. Laurel individually raised last year and what Medford raised. It might have been a lofty goal considering we merged,” Tyrrell said.

But there is still plenty of time to sign up and start fundraising. Participants don’t have to live in Medford or Mt. Laurel to take part. The Shamong Strutters recently signed up. Team McDonald is based in Tabernacle. Schools are involved, too. For instance, Seneca High School students have donated thousands in the past.

Tyrrell also wants people to know they can come enjoy the event without signing up, although to participate and stay overnight, registration is required.

“If people want to come and check it out and see what it’s about, they’re more than welcome,” Tyrrell said. “Hopefully, they’ll get bit by the bug and come back next year with a team.”

For more information and to register for Relay for Life Medford-Mt. Laurel, visit www.relayforlife.org/mtlaurelnj. Tyrrell can be reached at ka_tyrrell@hotmail.com and Ashley Colone can be reached at Ashley.colone@cancer.org.