Somers Relay Doubles its Expectations

Somers was vibrating with fun on Friday night and it was all for a good cause. The town’s first Relay for Life was held at Somers Middle School and hundreds of people turned out.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s annual celebration of cancer survivors and their caregivers. It is conducted simultaneously around the world, explained Katie Hobday of the ACS, and was designed as an all-night event “because cancer never sleeps, so neither do we.”

Friday evening’s event began with the lighting of thousands of luminary candles in honor of both victims and survivors. Various activities continued throughout the night as teams of volunteers took turns making laps around a track to raise funds to fight cancer. The night-long entertainment included bands, dance companies, karate demonstrations, jugglers and more.

More than 40 teams comprising 700 people participated. Carol Cirieco, who co-organized the event with Town Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy, pointed out that the teams represented all sorts of people. “They’re from the schools, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Lions Club, and so many other groups. They’re old, they’re young,” and they are all willing.

Somers had already raised nearly $93,000 through preliminary activities. “That’s huge,” said Hobday. “Their goal was only $50,000. For a first-time event, it’s overwhelming.”

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