Community Corner
Herndon Relay for Life
Local Relay for Life participants celebrate life and raise funds to fight cancer
On Saturday, June 11 into the wee hours of June 12, people gathered at Herndon Middle School to walk the track in a relay from 1 p.m. to 6 a.m. to raise money and awareness.
There were 32 teams, each of which had someone walking the track at all times. The teams raised about $122,431.70 and 351 people participated. Teams had anywhere from 1 to 34 members Clearview Elementary School's team was the largest. The motto of this year's relay was "we cannot rest since cancer never rests."
The teams work throughout the year from year-to-year. For example, youth team, Mack Attack raised $9,000 this year on behalf of their sister Mackenzie Nalewanski, who is a cancer survivor of 15 years. During the last three years the team has raised $30,000.
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The event started with a luncheon for survivors and then an opening ceremony. There were two themes during the opening ceremony: cancer touches everyone, and people who survive cancer cherish growing old and look forward to every birthday. Local Delegate Tom Rust, Mayor Steve DeBenedittis and survivor Leslie Morton spoke eloquently as they delivered their speeches.
After a very touching opening ceremony, the event started with a celebratory victory lap by survivors, 60 in all. As they started walking, each survivor introduced themselves and their support team.
