Pelham Hosts Relay for Life Event Saturday

Glover Field will be teeming with activity—rain or shine— when the third annual relay for Life Event in Pelham kicks off.

Relay for Life events, which are sponsored by the American Cancer Society, takes place in communities across the country with the goal of raising money for cancer research. More than 400 people are expected to gather at Glover Field and camp overnight to symbolize cancer doesn’t sleep and neither will those who advocate in the fight against the disease.

Participants have been raising money in the months leading up to the event through activities like bake and tag sales. On Saturday, teams will sell food, crafts, and merchandise in effort to raise even more money and awareness.

Each group pledged to have at least one member walk during the 12 hours, from dusk til dawn. There will also be a night vigil with luminaries lit to represent people who have died from cancer.

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“We have 27 teams signed up right now, but there’s still time to register,” Katie Hobday, the event manager. “We have 27 teams signed up right now, but there is still time to register. People can register at the time of the event. There will also be plenty of things for people to do if they just want to stop by.”

Hobday said she hoped to raise $100,000 this year.

As of Thursday night, Mission Possible was the team leader with more than $7,300 raised. Members of Mission Possible include event co-chairs Cassie Foxx and Lily DiPaola, both seniors at Pelham Memorial High School.

“Our goal is $15,000 and we’re going to try and reach it in the next few days,” Foxx said. “We’re selling personalized dog tags at the actual event and we’re hoping everyone will buy.”

Foxx and DiPaola were approached by Brook Thayer and Charlotte Shaffer-Morel, the co-chairs of last year’s event, to take up the mantle this year due to their enthusiasm and dedication the past three years.

Foxx said she joined the inaugural event after she heard all of the buzz surrounding it in high school. She formed team Mission Possible with DiPaola, who is one of her closest friends, in the second year of the event

“Everyone in school was talking about it and it seemed like it would be a lot of fun and great cause,” Foxx said.

Foxx said she formed team Mission Possible with DiPaola, who is one of her closest friends, in the event’s second year in Pelham.

Foxx said chairing the event has kept her busy during the past few months.

“We attend meetings every month and we’re always trying to get the word out to people and ask them to sign up for teams,” Foxx said. “It’s a ton of responsibility, but it’s worth it.

Registration for the event opens at 5 p.m. and opening ceremonies is at 6 p.m. Go for more information.