Bagpipers lead the relay around the high school track
MAHOPAC – The Relay for Life in Mahopac is the top fundraiser for
the American Cancer Society in the entire New York—New Jersey area
and one of the top 10 across the United States.
A cheer rang out among the hundreds gathered in the stands on the Mahopac
High School Athletic Field Saturday afternoon when the announcement was
made by Tracey Walsh, Putnam’s walk coordinator. “Of the 332
Relays for Life in the Empire State and Garden State, our Mahopac walk
is the champion when it comes to fund raising.”
Walsh told the audience they were there to celebrate making a difference.
“Don’t give up. Never give up. We will win the fight! The
relay is designed to ignite the spirit of the community. We are all dedicated
towards raising money in order to find a cure,” she said. “We
have painted our town purple and are united in our determination to make
this cancer’s last century. We will create a world where cancer
will no longer have the ability to break our hearts. Let’s give
cancer the boot.”
During evening ceremonies, every candle had a name. Some were here while
others gone.
Five thousand luminary candles were around the athletic field as one of
Putnam’s most emotional and well attended events of the year reached its
crescendo Saturday night.
Bagpipers lapped the track before being joined by thousands of men,
women and children – cancer survivors, caregivers and others who
lost loved ones to the insidious disease who had gathered in the stadium
for the luminary ceremony.
During its 19 year history, more than $6 million has been raised for cancer
research in Putnam County.
Cancer survivor Mahopac Superintendent of Schools Dennis Creedon whose
district hosts the event each year, said he doesn’t know of a family
not affected by the ravages of the illness: “Cancer claims wives
and husbands, grandparents, aunts and uncles and even children. We in
Mahopac are thrilled to open our high school campus for the event each
year. Our hope is that someday Relay for Life will no longer be needed
once a cure is found.”
