Your life gives us all HOPE!   Your life helps us REMEMBER what Cancer cannot DO.  Your life represents the reason why RESEARCH is important for all of us.  Come and CELEBRATE with us.

The Relay for Life is the visual representation of your living spirit.  When the Luminaria light the track at nightfall, the radiance is merely a reflection of the Joy and Hope found in the hearts of the survivors, their caregivers, their family members and their friends.

Last year, the very first year that Perry held a Relay for Life, this community outdid themselves in proving what a small town could provide in the manner of leadership.  They outdid themselves in numbers of teams, donations, and attendance of Survivors at the event.  It only took the initial effort of one person.  Barb Vanelli made personal phone calls, tapped Dennis Guido on the shoulder, and motivated many other volunteers to double and triple their goals and provide Perry, NY with the unbelievable title of ”Poster Child of Small Towns,” in the Relay for Life history books.

The magnificent work done last year will not go away.  The 2009 co-chairs Danielle Cooley and Nancy Edwards have sworn to uphold the tradition of the Relay for Life in Perry.  They want it to continue.  They want to find a permanent home for the event so everyone will know where it is when they want to honor their friends and family members that have fallen from the disease or CELEBRATE the lives of the survivors, and generate more and more funds for RESEARCH.

This year and hopefully every year hereafter, the event will be held at the Wyoming County International Speedway on Adrian Road in Perry, NY.  On July 11^th, 2009, the event will start with the very first lap as the SURVIVOR Lap.  There will be a Hay Ride Wagon for all the survivors who need assistance to complete the lap.  Come and shout Hurrah ! and walk or ride proudly.

The Second Lap is the CAREGIVER Lap.  Where would any of us be without our caregivers to button up our overcoats  or make us chicken soup and be our cheerleader when we feel overwhelmed? “ Make sure you bring your caregiver or multiple caregivers with you,” says Dennis Guido, chair of the Survivors Group.  Join them for coffee in the survivor  tent and share your celebratory news of how you are thriving.   

Cancer is not a death sentence yet, when you are newly diagnosed with cancer fear runs strongly through your mind pushing logic aside.  You need to meet hope and welcome it into your spirit.  Come and feel the HOPE and let others help you to bring it into your heart.

 The teams are signing up, the donations are arriving and the  Relay for Life will once again feel the outpouring of support from Corporate sponsors and grass root teams generating money that will support Roswell Park Research Institute  in it’s research efforts.  There are many ways you can get involved from purchasing a Luminaria for $5.00, in the name of a loved one to making an on-site donation.

To get involved e-mail or call Shannon Farnsworth at:  shan9159@ yahoo.com  / (585)259-2911.        Walk-ins are welcome if you just want to talk and be filled with the positive energy of HOPE.