Community Bands Together For Cancer, And One of Granby’s Own

Two years ago, the first Granby Stands Up to Cancer variety show was organized at Granby Memorial Middle School as the culmination of a year-long effort to raise money for cancer research in recognition of how many lives the disease touches. 

Now, two years later, that same variety show has expanded and over the past couple of months, taken on a more personal aspect. 

Middle school student services coordinator Sue Sojka said the event was originally slated for February of this year, but due to the severe winter weather, was postponed. In those months that followed, the toll of the disease really hit home when Granby Memorial Middle School seventh grader Emily Smith was diagnosed with lymphoma. 

In honor of Emily, the May 7 event took on the name Granby Stands Up to Cancer, Banding Together for Emily. 

“This year, a portion of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society and a portion to Emily and her family to help with medical bills,” Sojka said. 

In the first year of the event, Sojka said, they were able to raise over $8,000. 

With the help of Emily’s family, the organizers have added another element to the evening, a pasta dinner before the variety show. 

Emily, along with Sojka’s daughter Samantha, Miss Connecticut Teen USA, will be the co-emcees for the night. 

“One of the things that has been amazing is watching Emily be a part of all of this,” Sojka said. “She is part of the planning and part of the show.”

The year following the first Granby Stands Up to Cancer, Samantha, along with two other Granby high school seniors, decided to make the event their own as part of their senior project. 

The group put together the Granby Stands Up to Cancer MSK (to stand for each of their names) Walk, similar to Relay for Life, with someone walking on the track at all time. Sojka said sports teams, community members, teachers and students participated. 

“They wanted to give back and do something community based, and ended up doing this walk for cancer” Sojka said. 

This year, Sojka said the tradition will continue and the event will again involve the middle school. The variety show will feature a line up of acts, including singers and dancers. Special this year is Courtney Drummey from Simsbury, who has opened for Toby Keith, the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, Sojka said. 

In addition to the pasta dinner and variety show, there will also be a tea cup auction. Sojka said some of the items that will be up for auction include a basketball signed by Rebecca Lobo, a membership to the YMCA as well as baskets from local businesses. 

The pasta dinner will begin at 5 p.m. at Granby Memorial High School, the variety show at 7 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased at the door or ahead of time at the middle school. The pasta dinner costs $10 for adults and $7 for children and senior citizens. The variety show costs $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens. For both events, the cost is $20 for adults, $15 for children and senior citizens, and free for children under five.