RELAYS FOR LIFE Teams fight cancer

The Warren Relay for Life has been the largest single-site relay in the state for seven consecutive years.
CANFIELD -- There is still time to form a team of 10 to 15 people for one of this year's American Cancer Society Relays For Life in Mahoning, Trumbull or Columbiana counties.
The first of many Relay For Life weekends begins May 10.
Al Stabilito, communications and advocacy director for the Mahoning Valley ACS, said the relay is the signature event of the organization. It highlights cancer survivors, remembers those who have lost the battle to cancer, educates people about ways to reduce their risk of cancer and raises funds for research and programs.
"Relay For Life has become a way of life in this area. In May and June the people in our community join a team and walk or run around a track for a common cause -- to find a cure for cancer," said Dr. Robert T. Brodell, chairman of the Warren relay.
Dates and locations of the 10 relays this year are:
U May 10 and 11: Austintown Fitch High School, Austintown; Bo Rein Stadium, Niles; Lakeview High School, Cortland.
U May 17 and 18: Boardman Center Middle School, Boardman; Firestone Park, Columbiana; Warren G. Harding's Mollenkopf Stadium (formerly at Kent State University Trumbull Campus), Warren.
U May 24 and 25: Youngstown State University track, Youngstown.
U May 31 and June 1: Liberty High School, Liberty.
U June 7 and 8: Mangano Memorial Track, East Liverpool.
U June 21 and 22: Bud Bucher Football Field, Lisbon.
How they rank
The Warren relay has been the largest single-site relay in the state for seven consecutive years, usually attracting about 1,000 survivors. The Boardman relay was the second-largest single-site relay in Ohio in 2001, with about 800 survivors participating, Stabilito said.
In 2001, seven relay teams in Trumbull, Columbiana and Mahoning counties raised more than $1 million for cancer research and other cancer-related programs, said Dr. Robert DeMarco, chairman of the Boardman relay.
"That is real dedication from the wonderful teams and hundreds of volunteers who are committed to this event," he said.
This year, there are three new relays scheduled in Liberty, Lisbon and at Youngstown State University. In addition, seven other relays are planned in the tri-county area. The financial goal is $1.2 million, Stabilito said. In 2002, Ohio has 143 relays scheduled and a fund-raising goal of $10.5 million, he said.
This year each relay begins at 6 p.m. Friday and runs until 6 p.m. Saturday. Throughout the 24-hour period there are various activities, including events to remember those who have died of cancer or honor those who have survived cancer. Contests, games, food, music and other activities are also planned.
XFor more information about the Relay for Life, call (330) 533-0546 or (888) 227-6446.