RANDOLPH — 35 teams and 259 participants have raised $38,573.94 for Relay for Life of Central Morris County. In the fight against cancer, silence is the last thing we need. This year, Relay for Life was held at County College of Morris on Saturday, June 4 through Sunday, June 5.
The three top individuals for 2016 are Karen DeChristopher raising $6,680.00; Olivia O’Donnell raising $3,438.00 and Marjorie Forman raising $1,824.04.
The three top teams were Angels for Hope raising $8,545.00; Lakers For The Fight raising $6,080 and Sweet Livy’s raising $3,713.00.
The top company was Western Pest Services raising $8,695.00.
Saint Clare’s Health Systems and Western Pest Services were major sponsors.
Karen DeChristopher was awarded the “Eternal Flame Award.” The “Eternal Flame Award” is presented by the American Cancer Society in recognition of people who have taken their “cancer experience” and turned it into something positive by helping others facing the disease. The chosen nominee will receive an engraved plaque and the nominator will have the opportunity to read a short speech sharing why they submitted their nomination.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. If cancer has touched your life, participating in Relay For Life of Central Morris County encompassing Parsippany, Denville, Dover, Mt. Lakes, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, and Rockaway Township is a great way to take action and help finish the fight. This is your opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember those we have lost, and raise funds and awareness to fight back and help end cancer forever.
At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. The funds raised truly make a difference in the fight against cancer just ask one of the nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another birthday this year!
Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Relay for Life Central Morris County is 14 hours long because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.
The Luminaria Ceremony occurs at every Relay For Life event. As the sun sets, luminaria lining the track light up the night. A hush falls over the crowd that had been overflowing with celebration. Relay For Life participants, survivors, and caregivers then gather to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to honor those whose fight continues.
Karen DeChristopher explained “The Empty Table.” She said “We call your attention to the small table that occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that some of our loved ones are missing from this gathering. They have been diagnosed with cancer, and they are some of the names and faces behind luminaries.
The chair is empty. Many of those who fought the battle with cancer are no longer with us, but rather than mourning their loss, we choose to celebrate their life.
These people are unable to be with their loved ones and families now, so let us join together to recognize and honor them, and to bear witness to their struggle and their memory.
The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of a single patient, sometimes alone in the fight against his or her disease.
The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the medical profession: doctors, nurses, and researchers who help fight the battle for life.
The single rose in the vase signifies the enduring love of their families and friends and the strength of a patients’ will to fight the disease that ultimately claimed many of them.
The pink ribbon on the vase represents the ribbons worn on the lapels of millions who support a continued search for a cure not only for breast cancer, but for other cancers as well — cancers that are expected to kill over half a million people in the United States this year.
A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of the bitter battle against a deadly disease, a battle fought by more than 1.3 million new patients each year.
The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless tears of personal anguish shed by the patient and those shed by family members and friends who have lost a loved one.
The glass is inverted in memory of those people who are not here to join our celebration of successes.
But, the lantern represents the light of hope that lives in the hearts of all of us — hope represented by cancer survivors and the hope for a cure discovered as a result of the detailed work of the medical profession made able through funds generated through events such as Relay For Life.”
It’s not too late to donate. Click here to make your donation to the Relay For Life Central Morris team. Donations are accepted until August 31.
