Throughout the country, purple ribbons decorate towns to honor cancer survivors and mark the return of Relay for Life, an annual overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
Celebrating its 30th year nationwide and its 19th in Woodbridge, Relay for Life will begin at 1:30 p.m. June 6 at Woodbridge High School, 1 Samuel Lupo Place. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Life,” encourages birthday and anniversary festivities.
“In the eyes of the American Cancer Society, anyone who is diagnosed with cancer and is still living is considered a survivor,” said Zachary Sayre, community manager in his second full season with Relay for Life. The event is an opportunity for current cancer patients to connect with others in their community who have gone through the same process.
For volunteers like Amy McDevitt, it’s another year to help her fellow survivors learn about the services and support provided by the American Cancer Society.
“Our motto for this event is ‘cancer never sleeps,’ so for one night we don’t either while we raise money to fight cancer. It symbolizes the journey of the cancer patient,” McDevitt said.
Juggling occupations that range from creative consulting to accounting, McDevitt has volunteered as community chair of the Woodbridge Relay for Life for five years. She is no stranger to the heavy obstacles cancer creates for survivors and caregivers.
McDevitt participated in her first Relay for Life in the 1990s, walking for her nowhusband and children after he had lost his late wife to breast cancer.
“I continued to participate because I thought it was a neat event. It’s different from all the other walks that only last an hour or two,” she said. “You get to visit and meet new people and spend time with them.”
Five years ago, McDevitt was diagnosed with breast cancer — roughly one month after she became community chair of the Woodbridge event. She is now clear of the disease.
“For me, it was actually a blessing to have been involved because I really knew all the services that the American Cancer Society provided,” she said. “The message we are trying to get across is that the American Cancer Society is right here in our community.
“If you need us, we have services we can provide to you.”
Some of those services include transportation, makeup programs after treatment, and a 24-hour hotline for survivors to call with general questions.
The upcoming Relay for Life — which is geared toward residents of Woodbridge, Edison, Carteret and Perth Amboy — will include performances and other entertainment, and staying overnight is not a requirement. A key feature and popular part of the event is the lighting of the track with luminarias in the evening to commemorate those lost to cancer and support those who are fighting the disease.
“It’s a powerful time where everyone is very quiet and attentive to what we’re talking about, and it sends emotions throughout the crowd,” Sayre said.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1,658,370 people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer, and about 589,430 will die from it — an average of about 1,620 people per day.
However, these same studies show that the percentage of people surviving cancer has increased significantly, marking improvement in early diagnosis and treatment.
McDevitt is hopeful for a large turnout this year, anticipating about 700 to 800 to sign on by June 6.
“This is mostly a volunteer-run event. It’s run by volunteers like Amy McDevitt who put these events together and drive them to success,” Sayre said. “Without them, we really wouldn’t have [Relay for Life] today.”
Visit www.relayforlife.org to participate in the event and find out more about the American Cancer Society.