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Youngstown Relay for Life begins
YOUNGSTOWN
The Pink Panthers are just one team of superheroes who were out in full force this year at Mahoning County’s first Relay for Life.
Seventeen teams gathered Friday at Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University to begin what will be the first of many relays in the area — its theme: superheroes.
They would stay from 6 p.m. until 10 this morning, walking along the upper deck in the gym — one person from each team had to be walking at all times, said Tristan Codner, event coordinator.
They also were conducting fundraisers at stations inside the center. Their goal, Codner said, was to raise $1,000 through pledges and through the fundraisers for programs and services at the American Cancer Society’s Canfield office.
For the Pink Panthers, that goal was in the dust already.
The team, made up largely of senior citizens from Struthers Manor, many of whom are also cancer survivors, had returned for their fourth year of fundraising at the relay.
Team member Audrey McKnight said the fundraising doesn’t start there, however.
“I worked all year long,” she said, collecting at Struthers Manor. She raised $2,000 there, adding that though the residents don’t have much money, they want to help.
“They come up with handfuls of change. ‘Here’s all my change I’ve been saving for you. ...’ They’d do anything to help,” she said.
McKnight said she is a skin-cancer survivor, and she lost her husband to cancer when he was 52.
Other team members include Catherine Baun, Linda Simon, Rosemary Gallagher, Judy Carroll, Martha Sarna, Cora Hudzik, Lorraine Boyles, Duane Speicher, Bob Taylor, Mary Noble, Bob Noble, Matilda Taylor and Mary Mehle.
Fundraising baskets on their silent-auction table included one-night stays at hotels, including wine and breakfast; six Sharon Speedway Pit Passes; Phantoms hockey playoff vouchers and hats; a $50 jar of money; Miche purses; a $50 Visa gift card; and other gift cards and baskets of goods.
The Boardman High School Drumline led survivors on their traditional first victory lap, and then they were treated to dinner before the relay began.
Event Leaders and YSU President Jim Tressel sent them on their way with encouraging words.
Nicole Denno pointed out that not all superheroes wear capes.
“Look around,” she said. “Everyone wearing a purple shirt is a superhero to me. Anyone who has battled cancer is a superhero.”
“You do not have to fight this battle alone,” said event leader Tom Houser. “We are all here for you.”
“Two of my biggest superheroes are my mom and dad, and we lost them both to cancer,” said Tressel. “We’ve been a part of so many of these activities, and we get inspired when we meet the survivors, so we’re excited and glad you’re here.”