PARSIPPANY — Mayor James Barberio presented the members of Relay for Life of Central Morris County with a proclamation on Tuesday, May 12.
The proclamation read:
Whereas, an estimated 51,410 residents in NJ will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and 16,250 will not survive; and
Whereas, no single non-governmental, not-for-profit organization in the United States has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer than the American Cancer Society. In fact, The American Cancer Society has helped make possible almost every major cancer research breakthrough since 1946, in 2013 having funded more than $150 million in cancer research through money raised in communities across the United States; and
Whereas, Relay For Life is the signature activity of the American Cancer Society and celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers, remembers loved ones lost to this disease and empowers individuals and communities to fight back against cancer; and
Whereas, more than three million people, about one in 99 Americans, will take part in Relay For Life this year, of which a half a million of the participants are cancer survivors; and
Whereas, the money raised at Relay For Life saves lives and creates a world with less cancer and more birthdays through funding fighting cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts, and life-affirming patient services; thus people staying well, helping people to get well, and finding cures for cancer by fighting back; and
Whereas, in 2014, within Relay For Life events held in Northwest New Jersey, $1.2 million was raised, there were over 1,100 teams, 10,000 participants, over 780 survivors, and over 1,400 caregivers who were impacted; and
Whereas, Parsippany, one of seven united communities included within Relay For Life of Central Morris County is joining over 5,200 other communities worldwide to host the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, an event to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who are no longer with us, and
Whereas, Paint the Town Purple is a celebratory activity of the American Cancer Society, a community-wide campaign that promotes cancer awareness, gives individuals and communities an opportunity to show their support and fight back against all forms of cancer, and
Whereas, Parsippany will be part of the Paint the Town Purple initiative within the month of May and schools, businesses and residents are invited to help spread the message of hope by tying a purple ribbon around a tree or light post and posting signs of support as well as about the event!
Now Therefore, I, James Barberio, Mayor of The Township of Parsippany do hereby proclaim the month of May to be Paint the Town Purple within Parsippany and further proclaim June 6 to June 7 to be American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Central Morris County. In doing so, I urge citizens to celebrate survivorship, remember loved ones lost to the disease, honor caregivers and join Parsippany community’s fight against cancer and encourage citizens to help the fight against cancer by participating in these activities. Only together will we find a cure!
American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Central Morris County will take place on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at County College of Morris, Randolph. Registration will start on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. with Opening ceremony beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the festivities continue all night long until 6:00 a.m. on the Sunday, June 7. There is no obligation to stay all day or overnight, so please join as they walk around the track to Fight Back, Celebrate, and Remember those touched by cancer!
There are three points to every Relay for Life Event – Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back. The celebration portion includes a dinner for cancer Survivors and their Care Givers. The remembrance portion includes a moving Luminaria Ceremony in which friends and loved-ones lost to cancer are remembered. The entire event is a way of fighting back against cancer by raising funds for Research. The American Cancer Society funds research for all types of cancer. 93% of all money raised goes to continuing research efforts.
The Theme for this year’s Relay will be “The 80’s” to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the inaugural Relay for Life in 1985. There will be themed laps, Dance Contests, Face-Painting for Children, and other fun events throughout the course of the event, and a survivor’s and caregivers dinner, as well as the evening Luminaria Ceremony starting at 9:00 p.m. Luminaria bags that line the track to honor or remember loved ones in our lives that are touched by cancer can be purchased online, by clicking here.
By supporting Relay For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save more than 400 lives a day, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
For more details, to be a sponsor, sign up a team or to register for the event, click here.
