The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life will be held May 21-22 at South Hunterdon Regional High School.
By: Linda Seida
WEST AMWELL People attend the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at South Hunterdon Regional High School each year for a number of reasons, usually very personal ones.
Often they come back year after year, no matter what else is happening in their lives.
Sometimes, they come back to help a friend or family member who has survived cancer to raise funds for the organization that gives so much help to cancer patients in their time of need. Other times, their attendance is a tangible remembrance of loved ones who have lost their battles with the disease.
Cindy Krivoshik of Ringoes and Brittney Betancourt, an eighth-grader at the East Amwell School, are two such people who will attend the Relay for Life this weekend.
The relay officially will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday and continue overnight through Sunday morning.
Ms. Krivoshik works as an ICU nurse at Hunterdon Medical Center. She also is a survivor of breast cancer.
She has joined with fellow ICU nurses, family and friends on a team called the Friends Network. So far this year, they have raised more than $5,500, including the sale of more than 150 luminaria candles at $10 each.
"This is a time of the year I allow myself to think back on my personal experience with breast cancer and count my many blessings as this June marks the fourth year of my surgery and survivorship," Ms. Krivoshik said.
The journey around the high school’s track each year is not just a physical one, but an intensely emotional one as well.
Ms. Krivoshik said, "To me, the Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated. The survivor lap, which starts the Relay for Life, is very moving and emotional for me, realizing I am not alone, but with friends sharing a common bond of survivorship.
"The luminaire ceremony, which starts at 9 p.m., stirs up the deepest and strongest emotions as I walk the silent lap with the light of each luminaire laid out alongside the track and burning, honoring someone who has battled cancer, commemorating a treasured relationship by those who bought their luminaire. I pause, reading the names of fellow survivors, realizing how lucky we are, then I start to cry when I see the names of those who have lost their fight with cancer, with the funerals and vivid final memories of their last days in their battle with cancer overwhelming me."
Despite what the relay means to her, Ms. Krivoshik almost decided to step down as captain of the Friends Network team this year because of her family’s recent health problems.
"I must confess I really thought I would not participate this year after our daughter, Paula, was a passenger in a very serious car accident, having to be cut out of the car, which hit a tree on her side," Ms. Krivoshik said. "Then if that wasn’t enough, while at Morristown’s pediatric ICU, Paula was diagnosed with a brain tumor. On Feb. 8, just four days after she turned 17, Paula was operated on at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
"The tumor was a rare dysplastic ganglioglioma, which, fortunately, was benign. Paula must now have an MRI of her brain every three months for the next five years and then annually for the rest of her life. We are waiting for the results of her first follow-up MRI as I talk with you. Paula will be the guest speaker at the opening ceremonies for the South County Lambertville Relay for Life, talking about why she relays."
Paula’s injuries and brain tumor would be enough for anyone to deal with. But for Ms. Krivoshik, there is more.
"During my mother’s mammogram just over a week ago, they found an abnormality that required further testing," Ms. Krivoshik said. "She had the additional tests, and we are waiting to learn the results."
The family also must deal with their daughter Laura’s ongoing problems.
"While surgery was able to help Paula and myself, unfortunately, there is no surgery or treatment for our 11-year-old daughter Laura," Ms. Krivoshik said. "She has RETT syndrome, a progressive neurological disorder that affects only one in every 15,000 girls; boys usually die at birth. At least the many medications she takes daily seem to be controlling her seizures. Laura must attend a private school and needs help in everything that she tries to do."
Brittney, 13, has several family members who are fighting cancer, including a grandfather and two great-uncles.
"Then I have one great-uncle who died from cancer," she said matter-of-factly.
An eighth-grader at the East Amwell School, Brittney has raised more than $5,000 for the American Cancer Society over the past two years. Her team is called the Looney Luau Team.
Brittney said she has been joined on the team with "my parents, which I couldn’t do this without, my grandparents, whom I love so much, my sister, two aunts and a couple friends. I also have a very, very, very special friend, Erik Zimmerman. He is the most outstanding boy that God could’ve ever created.
"Erik was diagnosed with cancer as a young boy. He underwent numerous surgeries and radiations, and today, Erik is in seventh grade, smiling all the way down the hallways, has lunch with his friends and does amazing in school. Although cancer has tried to bring Erik down, he got back up and brushed it off of his shoulder. He is also the reason I relay: to give others the chance to stand up and brush cancer off of their shoulders."
Erik is the son of Norma and Erik Zimmerman of East Amwell Township. Ms. Zimmerman is the former chairwoman of the Relay for Life. Erik Jr. was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancer of the brain and spine, at the age of 17 months. His 11-year anniversary of being pronounced cancer-free passed Tuesday.
Because of the heavy doses of chemotherapy he received, he suffered some hearing loss, and he struggles daily to keep up with his peers.
Brittney is philosophical about her fundraising efforts.
"This year I have a goal," she said. "My goal is to raise more money and also the awareness of the relay. I believe that any amount can make a difference. The higher you go, the faster the cure comes, the more opportunities the American Cancer Society receives. I don’t believe that you need to get a high amount of money. It’s called a donation; you give as much as you can, and you should be thankful for getting that."
With life as hectic as it is for everyone these days, none of the participants seems to mind the extra work of preparing for the relay and attending the overnight event.
Brittney’s mother, Lisa Mummey, said, "I told Brittney three years ago when she came home from school, and she wanted to get involved, at the age of 10, I told her, ‘Sure, you want to be a team captain, you get your team together, you go to the meetings, I’ll be there for support, but it’s your job to do the work,’ thinking that this is something that she’s going to do for two weeks and realize how hard it is and just quit.
"But she proved me wrong. This is something that she has worked so hard at and each year raises more and more money. So a child that has that much ambition, making the time is the easy part."
For others, the output of time and energy is harder, but they still do it.
Ms. Krivoshik said, "With all we are going through and trying to keep up with the schedules of five children, including Peter, who is 10, and Danielle, who is 7, despite the hectic pace, I am grateful every morning to walk out of Hunterdon Medical Center when my shift as an ICU nurse ends as I think of all the people who cannot. I am very grateful for the hectic life I have for it is really a gift."
For information on the relay or to volunteer, call Ms. Zimmerman at 397-8892 or Kelly Godown, this year’s co-chairwoman, at (908) 782-7601.

