Relay raises money for a cure
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Participants in the 23rd annual Butler Relay for Life walked throughout the night Saturday at the Butler Farm Show Grounds to help raise money for cancer research.
“Cancer doesn't quit, so neither will I,” said Shelly Manning, lead organizer of the event.
Manning estimated at least 600 people participated in the walk. While she had no estimate of the amount of money raised by the walk itself, the 23 fundraising teams raised $51,000 for the year that ended with the walk, she said.
Manning said she got involved with Relay for Life five years ago because her mother had been diagnosed with cancer. She also has had numerous other family members diagnosed with the disease.
“We always wanted to get involved with charity,” Manning said of her and her husband, Patrick. “This one picked us.”
Manning's team is called Gloria's Angels in honor of her mother, Gloria Lamont of West Sunbury.
Lamont was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago, then again two years ago.
Since then she has remained strong through the illness.
“She's doing great — she's my hero,” Manning said.
Manning said she doesn't sleep during the event, and she said someone from her team will be marching at all times during the night.
Manning's resilience is evident in her daughter CheyAnne, 18, as well, as the recent high school graduate organized a cancer fundraiser as a senior project this year at Moniteau High School.
“She's as passionate as I am,” Manning said.
Manning said she wanted to emphasize the relay for life isn't a race — each team is just supposed to have one person walking around the track for 24 hours.
“The only thing we're racing toward is a cure,” Manning said.
She said the annual event is a good way to get people together for a good cause.“It's a community day for anyone touched by cancer to come together to celebrate survivors, mourn or support someone,” Manning said.Money raised at the event goes to the American Cancer Society for research. Fundraising for the event goes on all year.Sandy Dimit of Center Township and Cheryl Oday of Butler Township were two of the team members for Marty's Marchers.The team consists of members of the Grace at Calvary Lutheran Church and is named after Martin Luther.“We all want to help find a cure,” Oday said. “We all know so many people affected by cancer.”The church's team had a Tiki bar set up at its tent. It sold slushies to help raise money — a popular stop for those walking in the 80-plus degree heat.The church hosts a monthly lunch to raise money.“We've raised well over $10,000 this year,” Oday said.Terri Ireland of Oakland Township was with the team Heaven's Helpers, honoring her father, Larry Gizienski of West Sunbury, who died of leukemia 10 years ago.“We started coming out that year and have been here ever since,” Ireland said.Her team included eight adults and a handful of children helping to walk. They led the kickoff lap with a banner honoring Gizienski.“We come out here and have a good time raising money for a cure,” Ireland said. “We'll walk all night.”The day featured live music, games and raffles, as well as a survivors' dinner.It lasted until 10 a.m. Sunday morning.
