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Large crowd joins in relay
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[7.11.2008] Jay Jorge (right), of Struthers, skips through Poland's 1st Annual Relay for Life alongside Tiffany Martin (center), of Boardman, and Ashley Kozic (left), of Lowellville. The three attended the event as team members from New Life Church.
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[7.11.2008] Roberta McCollums, of Hillsville PA, embraces Andy Fusco, of the west side of Youngstown after they are named queen and king of the 1st Annual Poland Relay for Life in Poland. "Every morning I put my feet on the floor, I thank God I've got another day," says Fusco who battled cancer in 1999 and it has since gone into remission. McCollums has six types of cancer and has been battling the illnes for 22 years. "Thats what we gotta do with cancer, keep busy," said Fusco.
By ASHLEY LUTHERN
By Friday evening, Poland’s Relay for Life had raised $5,055.
POLAND — The Power of One is the theme for the first Relay for Life in the township, but hundreds of community volunteers joined forces for the event.
“The theme is meant to focus on one, the individual survivors and that fact that every one person can make a difference,” said John Whitinger, event organizer, Friday at the opening ceremonies for the Poland Relay for Life, a 24-hour event where volunteers raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Even with neighboring relays in Boardman and Springfield Township, Poland organizers decided four months ago to have a relay in July at the Knights of Columbus on U.S. Route 224.
“People always ask me why there are so many relays in this county,” said Bridgett Ford, income development coordinator for the American Cancer Society. “And I tell them that until there’s a cure, we’re not going to stop. Besides, how can you tell someone ‘No, you can’t have a Relay here; you can’t raise money for a cure.’”
So far, the Poland Relay has raised $5,055 and expects to add to it throughout the night, with teams participating in on-site fundraisers, Ford said.
In addition to providing funds to help find a cure, Relay for Life gives survivors and their family and friends a time to come together.
“I’m here as both a cancer survivor and keynote speaker,” said Bob Lidle, a township trustee. “I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma four years ago ... The day after I was diagnosed, I stopped dreaming about yesterday and started to plan for tomorrow with a new zest for life.”
Other cancer survivors were pleased that Poland was chosen as a location to host a relay.
“I think it’s cool for them to start something here, where a lot of people have been touched by cancer,” said Justine Ula, 18, of Poland. “I hope it gets bigger each year.”
Floyd Wright survived cancer of the esophagus and used to live in Poland year-round but now only travels from his home in Florida to visit his family here in the summer.
“I was thrilled when I heard about the Poland Relay,” said the 73-year-old. “I only heard about it this morning, but I knew I had to come.”
Wright has been a survivor for eight years but was twice widowed when each of his wives died of cancer.
“[Relay] actually brings survivors together, and you know that you’re not by yourself,” he said.
The event continues today with 1980’s cover band Edison’s Medicine performing at 1 p.m. The relay ends at 6 p.m.