For the third year in a row, the Fayetteville-Manlius Area Relay for Life will be held to raise money to help fight cancer, and everyone is invited to attend from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the F-M High School Track.
The F-M Relay for Life is a 12-hour community-based fundraising event which benefits the American Cancer Society (ACS). Each year, an estimated 5,000 relay events are held in 20 countries, and this year there are four registered events in Central New York alone. To participate, anyone interested is encouraged to either join a team or become a team captain and start their own, but anyone is welcome to be involved in any way they can be.
After a 10-year absence, F-M high school science teacher Ben Gnaick gathered a group from the F-M Science Honor Society to put on a relay event in 2014 that raised more than $68,000. In 2015, F-M students started a formal club to make plans for the annual fundraiser, under the guidance of Gnacik, and they were able to raise $62,000 last year and hope to raise $80,000 in 2016.
“One misconception is that you have to be registered to come to the relay … The idea is that anyone can come to support the walkers throughout the day. We would love the whole community to come, even if just for an hour, to support a great cause,” said Gnacik.
The day’s schedule of events are as follows: 10 a.m. for the kick-off and survivors lap; a carnival from noon to 6 p.m.; bands and djs playing music from noon to 8:30 p.m.; and at 8:30 p.m. a luminary ceremony to honor those who have battled cancer.
This year’s theme is “Be a Hero,” and throughout the event the relay committee will be honoring community heroes who help in the fight against cancer, including medical professionals who treat patients, caregivers and those who raise awareness.
Emma Hagelin, a junior at F-M and a member of the Relay for Life committee for the past three years, has been instrumental in coordinating the honoring of the heroes for this year’s event. Hagelin said she decided to get involved because she lost her grandfather to cancer in 2013.
“This year, the committee wanted to acknowledge all of the heroes among our community; those who have put so much effort and time into the ongoing battle against cancer. There are so many amazing people within our community that deserve recognition for all of their heroic services,” said Hagelin. “Losing Poppop was not only incredibly hard on myself, but had a large toll on my family as well. I had a huge motivation to do something in his honor. When I found relay, I knew I had to get involved. Cancer is unfortunately so common throughout our community, and being able to do something for those affected is unreal.”
More than 50 teams from the community are expected this year, said Gnacik, and anyone is welcome to attend on the day of the event to walk, cheer on or participate in the day’s events, including an expanded kids area.
Gnacik himself is a cancer survivor and thinks having events like the Relay for Life is needed in the community.
“Early detection saved my life. I found a tumor at a very early stage because I was aware of how to screen myself. Events like the Relay for Life help make people aware of such screenings,” said Gnacik. “They also serve many other purposes. They support those fighting and those who have family members fighting. They provide a safe space to remember those we have lost to cancer, and allow us to teach about ways that other people can protect themselves and screen themselves.”
More than 100 people attended this year’s kick-off event and there will be a golf tournament on June 25 to raise money for the F-M Relay for Life.
For more information or to register online for the event, go to relayforlife.org/fayettevillemanliusny. Contact Ben Gnacik at [email protected] or Danielle LaTour at [email protected] with any questions about the event.
