Bringing the community together to raise awareness for cancer research
Alexa Benun, a Paul D. Schreiber High School junior, is bringing Relay For Life back to Port Washington on Saturday, June 1. This year’s Relay for Life will be held at the Seeber Track at Schreiber High School (101 Campus Dr.) from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
A Relay For Life event hasn’t been held in Port Washington since 2018. This year, Benun spearheaded the organization of the event to honor and celebrate her beloved Abuela Mirta Seldman who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer three years ago.
“While she is now thankfully in remission, we must continue to raise awareness and funds for cancer research,” said Benun.
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser walk. Across America, communities host Relay For Life events to bring people together to celebrate survivors, remember lost loved ones and fight back against every cancer. In addition to walking around the track, Port’s Relay For Life will feature kids’ games, food trucks, a Luminaria ceremony and a survivor’s dinner.
The Luminaria ceremony is a beautiful dedication to honor every life touched by cancer. White paper bags decorated with names, messages, and art are lit by a tea light candle in dedication to those who have lost their lives to cancer or who continue to battle it.
“Through food, music and games, we are celebrating the donations, survivors and those we lost to cancer,” said Benun. “We want to raise as much awareness in the town as possible.”
Benun has been working to organize this event with help from her family, friends, and the American Cancer Society. She shared that she has been fundraising throughout the year and has raised close to $14,000 so far.
“I have been reaching out to people in the community, sending many emails and reminders. Another thing that I did was set up stands in the school or outside of the school for people to get information and donate,” said Benun. “I also passed out flyers at events, like the Softball Bash at the high school. I have gotten a lot of sponsorships that helped bring attention or were generous enough to donate. They have donated funds or time by participating in the event to provide food and music. It’s a culmination of the community to make this event as great as possible.”
The money raised goes towards advocacy, research, and patient support that the American Cancer Society provides nationwide. Through the funding American Cancer Society receives, they are able to help millions of patients and families. Aside from investing in research and treatments, they provide support such as rides to treatments and free lodging for families to be near their loved ones while receiving care. According to the American Cancer Society, they have provided 490,000 rides to treatment and 500,000 free lodging nights.
To support Port’s Relay For Life, visit secure.acsevent.org
To learn more about the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org
