Brandon Zenevitch to Serve as Honorary Chair for the Relay For Life of Brookfield

Brookfield, CT – 6/3/14 The American Cancer Society has selected Brandon Zenevitch to serve as honorary chair for this years Relay For Life of Brookfield.  Brandon’s Relay for Life Team this year is the “BE AWESOME” team.

Brandon Z. is a sophomore attending Brookfield High School.   Brandon is a smart, wise before his years, compassionate, talented and fun to be around young man. He has many friends and enjoys all music. He is involved in Scouting, Marching Band, Concert Band and Musical Theatre and is a great student. As a Boy Scout he has been working towards his Eagle Award and loves to camp on the Appalachian Trail.

Community service is part of who he is and his care for others is always at the forefront. He is hardworking and dedicated and aspires to go into Law, become a Teacher and or Actor.

Brandon was diagnosed over a year ago with Rhabdomyosarcoma- a rare soft tissue and bone cancer.  He underwent two surgeries to remove the cancerous tumor and nodule and started chemotherapy and radiation in May of 2013.  He has been is aggressive treatment since and week after week has been bravely fighting this cancer, exhausted but determined.  Determined to fight this cancer and WIN!  He is currently being treated at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, CT. 

Brandon, his mother Denise and sister Victoria would like to thank the entire community, friends and family for standing by him and helping in so many ways!  “The prayers, the meals, the fundraisers, and giving of your time in any way to help our family has meant more than words can describe.   We are awed by the Love.”

Brandon shares-  “My life hit rock bottom last year, something so unexpected that it was hard to even consider it reality. There was nothing I could do, no escape, no relief. Or that’s at least what I thought.  So many have stood by me in some way, and because of that, it gave me Hope. Hope that brought me through it dragged me to where I am now. I remember the times where I would feel terrible, I was sick as a dog, depressed to hell, and it was the worst. It was like being shot in the leg, then kicked in the stomach for good measure. But it didn’t matter, because all I had to do is think of all of my Brookfield friends, and I immediately had the ability to keep going. The nurses considered it a natural medicine, and we agreed, considering all it took was your company for even a second, and it was as if I was a whole different person.”

Cancer unfortunately now affects every family and every age group.  The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.  Relay brings together friends, family, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith based groups, people from all walks of life - all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, get well and find cures.

Relay For Life began in 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, took the first step of his 24-hour walk around a track in Tacoma, Wash., and raised $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society. In 2012, more than 3.5 million people in 5,146 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 21 other countries, will gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.   

The Relay For Life of Brookfield takes place at Brookfield High School on June 7th-June 8th, 2014. To participate, call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.RelayForLife.org/brookfieldct. It is not too late to sign up. 

Not only does the Relay For Life raise money for the American Cancer Society, the community event is fun for the whole family. The event kicks off a 6pm beginning with a few words from Brandon Zenevitch.  The survivor lap begins at 6:30pm followed immediately by the caregiver lap. The event includes a DJ, band, food, fun activities and the very touching luminaria lap at 9pm. We hope you can join us. Together we can make that difference.