Annual Relay for Life returns to Mount Wachusett Community College

GARDNER – The Relay for Life is back.

After a few years of online virtual gatherings and scaled back drive-through events, the annual American Cancer Society’s annual fundraiser, during which teams walk the track at Mount Wachusett Community College throughout the night, will be back to full strength this season, according to organizers. The two-day event will kick off with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 10.

“It’s so wonderful and it’s so heartwarming, and everybody is so excited,” said organizer Mickey Nussey about the return of the annual fundraiser.

“It’s really great to build up the excitement and the interest again, because cancer is just devastating to families,” said organizer Ernie Bettez, who added that the annual fundraiser was a true community event. “Gardner is on the map as a place that cares. The money that comes in provides services for individuals going through cancer, including housing for people who can’t afford to travel back and forth to hospitals.”

“Tune Out Cancer, Tune In Hope” is the theme for the 2022 Relay For Life, and certain hours of the event will be dedicated to the music of several different eras, from the 1950s to the 1980s, and musical styles including country and western, Broadway showtunes and songs from Disney movies. A survivors' lap will be set to the music of the 1920s.

“The musical theme will give everybody a chance to get super creative,” said organizer Marcia Sharkey.

Event organizers said the goal of this year’s Relay for Life is to raise at least $100,000 for cancer research and related programs. A week before the event, more than 60 teams had already raised over $75,000. About 400 participants are expected to take part in this year’s relay.

“And we’d love to see the crowds come out and donate if they can, or just support the walkers as they’re going around the track,” said Bettez.

Sharkey said enthusiasm for this year’s event had been slowly building over the past several months.

“We had a team meeting in January in which very few people showed up,” she explained, adding that by the time of May’s team meeting, however, it was apparent that participants were ready for the full return of the annual Relay for Life. “We ended that meeting with a big shout-out, and you could tell the enthusiasm had returned. It was phenomenal.”

Sharkey, who is a 24-year cancer survivor, said the past two years without the Relay for Life was like having to go two years without seeing your loved ones.

“We really are like a family, and that’s what I missed during that time,” she said. “And seeing the team captains back last week – and seeing them cheer – that’s what I needed.”

Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik, D-Gardner, said he was glad to see the Relay for Life returning to the city.

“As long as I can remember, certainly, this has been one of the single biggest events of the year in the city of Gardner,” Zlotnik said. “Hopefully, the weather cooperates for them this year.”

The event’s opening ceremonies will include a torch lighting, ribbon-cutting and survivor celebration lap, according to organizers. The event will also feature a luminary ceremony and a reception for caregivers. Closing ceremonies will include special recognitions and awards, and a special final lap during which participants will ring a bell when completed, which is how cancer patients traditionally signal the end of their chemotherapy treatments.

This year’s Relay for Life will be different from previous events in one key aspect, however. Calling this year’s event a “rebuilding year,” organizers made the decision to scale the event’s hours back and end the fundraiser - which has traditionally been a 24-hour event – at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11.

“We wanted to change this up just a little bit (because) it’s been hard the past few years getting people to stay for the full 24 hours,” said Nussey. “So, we thought we’d just try (a 20-hour event) this year and see if it makes a difference and gets people to stay.”

Mayor Michael Nicholson said the annual Relay for Life had been constant and reassuring presence in the city for over two decades.

“It’s great to see so many people get together to support each other,” Nicholson said. “We have different community events to support different locations and organizations, but the relay is just people getting together to support each other – and I think that is just really good for our community.”

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Relay for Life American Cancer Society fundraiser returns to gardner