MAHOPAC – A cheer rang out on the Mahopac High School track Saturday when it was announced during the past 20 years Mahopac’s Relay for Life has raised more than $5 million for cancer research.
In 2018, the local relay was one of the greatest fundraisers for the American Cancer Society in the entire New York—New Jersey area and one of the top 10 across the eastern United States.
Mahopac Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo, who hosted the annual event, commended residents and businesses for “making a difference. Don’t give up. Never give up. We will win the fight!”
Cancer survivor Ellen Pryzymylski told the gathering that the relay was designed to “ignite the spirit of the community. We are all dedicated towards raising money in order to find a cure. 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.”
Pryzymylski also revealed the emotions of what it means to be a survivor. “A survivor is tired, scared, weepy, strong, angry and forgetful but at the end a survivor remains grateful and is always hopeful.”
Another survivor, Carmel Highway Superintendent and Mahopac School Trustee Mike Simone, said he didn’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. Our hope is that someday Relay for Life will no longer be needed once a cure is found.”
