A Boardman eighth-grader was chosen as honoree chairman mainly because he has inspired others.

April 19, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — Even though she doesn’t have a loved one affected by cancer, Abby Kawecki’s desire to reach out to those struggling with the disease has not been diminished.

“I think since so many people suffer … this is a good time to donate and help people who’ve gone through so much,” said Abby, referring to her reasons for participating in the seventh annual American Cancer Society’s 2008 Relay for Life of Youngstown event, which got under way Friday and continues until noon today in Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center.

Abby, a seventh-grade pupil at St. Charles School in Boardman who also donated food, was one of about 60 seventh- and eighth-graders to take part in the event, said Mary Jo Marsh, a teacher and student council adviser at St. Charles.

Marsh was diagnosed nearly 10 years ago with uterine cancer but was free of the disease a few months later, thanks to surgery, she recalled. Before the event, Marsh noted, some of the ways the youngsters donated was by giving some or most of their allowances, selling flowers and hosting a volleyball tournament.

St. Charles also has an annual event in which the entire school participates to raise funds on behalf of those with cancer, she added.

The St. Charles group was the largest of about 49 teams in the first of 15 Relay for Life events planned this year in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

The event’s honoree chairman was eighth-grader Dante DelSignore, a St. Charles pupil who last year was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that started in his left tibia.

Dante said surgery was performed to remove a tumor in his leg and that he finished the final round of chemotherapy in January. Despite having been told he likely wouldn’t walk for six months, Dante is able to exercise several days a week at the YMCA in Boardman.

“He rehabbed himself for three months,” added his sister, Tina DelSignore, a teacher at Cardinal Mooney High School, who also tutored her brother during the months he had to miss school.

Dante was selected as honoree chairman largely because of his ability to inspire others, Tina said.

“A year ago today I would have never thought a year later I’d be someone people would look to for inspiration,” said Dante, who also came to the event with his mother, Carrie.

Opening the program was cancer survivors and those diagnosed with the disease walking or using a wheelchair for the first lap around the indoor track. A luminaria ceremony followed in which survivors and those who died of cancer were remembered and honored.

The Relay for Life events are for people who suffer from any type of cancer, noted Sharon Schroeder, event chairwoman. A goal set by the ACS is to raise $65,000 during the kickoff event, she said, adding that Ohio is one of a handful of states in which all donations raised stay in the state.

All proceeds will go to the society, with nearly all of the funds going toward cancer research, education, wellness services, advocacy and other related programs, explained Maureen Reynolds, income development coordinator with the cancer society’s Canfield office.

Donations will be taken until at least August, both women noted. Send contributions after the event to American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad St., Canfield 44406.