Brookfield Relay for Life Raises Hope, Awareness and $77K

Hundreds of community members from Bethel, Danbury, Redding, Brookfield and surrounding towns came out to the Bethel High School track Friday raise money for people who have fought, or are currently battling, cancer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“Cancer is not six degrees of separation,” said ACS’s Alyssa Amaturo during the opening ceremony, “it’s one degree of separation. Everyone knows somebody has been affected by cancer.”

One cancer survivor, Carol Ann Viebrock, marched in the survivor’s lap, along with dozens of others, led by the Bethel High School marching band and the Knights of Columbus. Viebrock was this year’s co-chair, along with Laura McCormick and Cheryl Hallock. Hallock’s mother, a cancer survivor, gave a heartwarming and inspirational speech about her experience battling melanoma.

Emcee Rich Minor from 98Q noted this was the 21st year Bethel has hosted Relay for Life. Minor said the American Cancer Society considers a person a survivor on the day they hear those three dreaded words nobody ever wants to hear, “You have cancer.” Hallock added that since the beginning, the event has raised over $3 million dollars for the fight against cancer.

Crosstown Band provided entertainment and various themed laps were planned to keep participants motivated. The luminaria ceremony was a somber moment when people remembered loved ones who have passed away from the disease. Friends and family members walked the lap in silence, flocked by glowing luminary bags with hand-written messages remembering those no longer with us.

Games, crafts, music and other fun activities were planned throughout the night for the 15-hour event which culminated with the first ever “Beat the Beast” 5K fun run on Saturday morning.

This year’s top fundraising teams were:

• Pink Ladies $11,996.67
• Scooby Strong $8,772
• Captain’s Cure-ageous $6,551.11

This year’s top fundraising individuals were:

• Melissa Andros, Praxair Green Lanterns $5,095
• Carol Eagan, Scooby Strong $4,667
• Laura McCormick, Captain’s Cure-ageous $3,541

For more information about Relay for Life or to make a tax deductible donation, please click here.

Photos 1-4: Wendy Mitchell

Photos 5-13: Madison Gilmore, Bethel High School freshman and Wendy’s Warriors team member