VIDEO: Bethel's 2015 ACS Relay For Life Superhero Kickoff Was Inspiring

Report, Photography and Video by Paula Antolini
February 1, 2015 7:55AM EDT

The theme of the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2015 Relay For Life (RFL) Kickoff party was “Superheroes.” The event took place on January 31, 2015, 12 noon, at Rizzuto’s Wood-Fired Pizza Kitchen in Bethel, CT.

Many participants dressed as their favorite superhero to symbolize the strength of the power to win the fight to find a cure for cancer, and also the determination to help and be a caregiver for those afflicted with the disease. It also symbolizes how hard RFL works to raise funds to help cure cancer. There was mighty strength in the room this Saturday afternoon!

The co-chairs for this event were Laura McCormick, Carol Ann Viebrock and Cheryl Hallock, who introduced themselves and welcomed the crowd. Alyssa Amaturo was introduced by Hallock as the new RFL partner from ACS.

Hallock said, You guys are all superheroes, hence our theme.” She added, “We’d like to recognize all of the teams and individuals who reached for the stars and raised incredible amounts of donations for the American Cancer Society.

Hallock indicated how successful the 2014 RFL was and named the top three teams and funds raised: The Pink Ladies $10,923; Captain’s Cure-ageous $10,915; and BI Bees Buzzing for a Cure $8,053.

Carol Ann Viebrock indicated the top fundraising individuals who were: Doris Peterson $7,020; Laura McCormick $4,078 and Allison Hughes-Randall $3,644.

Laura McCormick said that in the 2014 results we had a Net Income of $110,796.58, there were 42 teams with 376 participants registered on them, and we celebrated 65 survivors.

Viebrock said, “Now I want to introduce someone who is going to speak a little bit about her experience with Relay, and it’s our Allie Hermansen, daughter of our dear friend Debbie [Hermansen]. Her Mom started the Pink Ladies in 2007. She will say a few words about her experience with cancer.”

Allie Hermansen, eighth grade student at Bethel Middle School, stood up in front of the crowd and said, “My family has been involved with Relay for ten years. My family and I are proud to be part of the Pink Ladies once again. We participate in Relay to carry on the tradition of our mother Debbie Hermansen, who was one of the founding members of the Pink Ladies, and was an Honoree Chair for Relay back in 2007. She was a cancer survivor for over twenty years, having fought Hodgkin’s as a child, and later fought breast cancer for 7 years before passing away in 2011. The rest of my family cannot be here today due to other activities but I am thrilled to be here and celebrate Relay for Life.”

McCormick said, “Thank you Allie. That took a lot of guts and I’m sure your Mom is so proud of you for continuing on in the fight. Thank you for being here.”

“As we know, Relay For life is not a one day party, it’s not just about celebrating survivors, it’s the world’s largest fundraising movement. The world’s largest. And every penny that we raise is so vital to go towards the mission of the American Cancer Society to eliminate cancer as a threat and to help cancer patients and their family through the journey. So what we want to make sure that everybody knows if that when you’re going out and asking for donations we want to make sure that you are comfortable with where that money is going. We are very proud of the American Cancer Society, almost 80% of our donor dollars goes right to the mission. So we’re very proud of that,” McCormick said.

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