Participants walk in celebration of survival

The Boardman and Warren relays were the tops in the state last year.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
EN-YEAR-OLD JOEY CALABRETTE has been walking the survivor lap at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for most of his young life.
Joey, who wore one of the yellow survivor shirts Friday at Boardman Center Middle School's stadium, is a survivor of infant muscle cancer.
"That's why I'm so strong," said the Youngstown boy, a fourth-grader at Kirkmere Elementary School. "I can almost pick up my mom."
His mom, Lisa, said it is seeing the friends they've made over the years that keeps them going back to the event.
"It's remembering the good times and the bad times and thanking God for all of the years we've had," she said. "We're thankful for every day that we have."
The event runs through 6 p.m. today with activities, entertainment and teams lapping the track to raise money for a cancer cure.
Ranking high
Last year, the Boardman relay was the second-largest single site relay in the state, a place it's held for the 10 years since it started. Warren's relay, which also started Friday and continues through today, ranked as the largest last year.
The 2005 event marks the 11th year for the Boardman relay.
Mark Luke, volunteer chairman for this year's event, said he hopes to maintain that high-ranking spot this year. Last year's event raised just under $340,000. This year's goal is $353,000.
There are 170 teams, each comprised of 10 to 15 people, participating, Luke said.
Although this is the first year he's chaired the event, he's been a committee member for eight years.
"Both of my parents died of cancer," Luke said. "Everyone has a reason for doing this. We call it a reason to relay. When you find something and you have a passion for it, you enjoy it, and you know you're making a difference in people's lives [so] you keep doing it."
Survivor lap
The first lap around the track is set aside for survivors.
Boardman residents Sue Ladas and Shirley Napoli, both breast cancer survivors, of 271/2 years and 71/2 years, respectively, call the event a celebration of life.
Surviving the disease makes a person appreciate the little things, Napoli said.
"It makes you appreciate a great day, a pretty flower, a nice face," she said.
"Every day is a celebration from the moment you wake up," Ladas said.
The families of both women also attend to lend moral support.
"My two grandchildren will be up there cheering me on," Napoli said of her 8- and 9-year-old grandchildren.
Ladas' grandchildren, ages 9 and 11, also sat in the stands while their grandmother walked the survivors' lap.