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Hundreds walk in Boardman Relay for Life
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Carolyn Moorhead (middle) who was diagnosed with kidney cancer Nov. 2011 stood proudly with her friends and family, which included, from left, Rose Bonelli, Joanne Zahnisdr and Pat Freese who all made up "Team Carolyn" for the Boardman's Relay for Life at Boardman Center Middle School May 12.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Members of "Team Burke", which included Rachel Kepley,17,(left),Breanne Donoghue,20, (middle) and Sarah Millier,11, posed after walking all night during Boardman's Relay for Life for Cancer Research at Boardman Center Middle School May 12.
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Members of the Boardman St. Charles Daisy Girl Scouts, which included ( ront row left to right) Katie , Maggie McGlone, Alexa Schmidt, (back row left to right) Katie Lyons, Jett Englander and Gianna all rested in the grass for a water break during Boardman's Relay for Life May 12.
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People of all ages brought forth their best effort during Boardman's Relay for Life for cancer research May 12 at Boardman Center Middle School.
By EARTHA TERRELL
People of all ages gathered at Boardman Center Middle School May 12 for the walk of their lives during the Relay for Life event, which raised money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.
Boardman Superintendent Frank Lazzeri said the event is important for the community.
“It’s a wonderful event because it raises awareness of the need to support the research, the folks that have survived cancer and who are fighting cancer,” he explained.
The event, which lasted 24 hours, included teams who walked the track to support cancer research. Carolyn Moorhead, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in November 2011, said her mother’s battle with breast cancer inspired her to take part in the event.
“The walk started taking on meaning for me when my mother died of breast cancer at 52,” Moorhead said. Her team was named “Team Carolyn” and included family and friends who all came to support her.
Funds raised from Relay for Life are distributed throughout Ohio to assist cancer research, according to Danielle Peropoio, American Cancer Society Event Chairman.
“The money goes right back to the Cancer Society and we actually fund researches in the state of Ohio,” Peropio said.
The event has garnered an enormous amount of support from the community and has raised thousands of dollars.
“Each year, the community brings in over $200,000 at the event,” Peropio said.