Niles Relay raises more than $50K for cancer research

NILES

The city kicked off Trumbull County’s first Relay for Life event this weekend at the Mayor Infante Wellness Center at Waddell Park.

Roughly 300 people participated in the 24-hour event, which lasted from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The American Cancer Society fund raiser is a nationwide movement that allows communities to raise money for cancer research by pledging donations through 24 hours of walking.

While all the participants walked during the relay, five people walked for the entire relay.

Eighteen-year-old Brandon Velesko of Hubbard walked all 24 hours. He and the other four walkers stopped for only 10 minutes every hour for a bathroom and water break. He admitted he was tired and planned to head home to eat and sleep once the relay had finished. He said his exhaustion was worth it, however.

The Niles event raised $50,384 through 50/50 raffles which included gift baskets with crafts, iPads and jewelry, as well as bake sales and other charitable donations.

For more on the event, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.