Relay For Life of Woburn Celebrates a Decade, Hits New Goals

The Relay For Life of Woburn’s annual event this Saturday, May 21 marks an evolution for the American Cancer Society fundraiser that has been 10 years in the making, said a volunteer who’s been there since day one.

“We have lots of creative, committed and energetic volunteers and supporters,” said Kathy McCormack, 53, of Woburn. “The goal of first Relay was to raise $40,000. Now in 2016, we have surpassed our goals and are aiming to raise more than double that amount.”

This year’s Relay For Life of Woburn is set for Saturday, May 21, through Sunday, May 22, from 4 p.m. – 6 a.m., at Library Park Field, Harrison Ave., Woburn. This year’s goal is to raise $100,000. By mid-May nearly $60,000 was collected, with much more fundraising expected.

McCormack, who works in physician outreach at Lahey Health and who is a passionate advocate for screening for early diagnosis and treatment, first became passionate about fighting cancer 24 years ago after her mother died from colon cancer at age 54.

Then, in 2006, McCormack participated as a community ambassador in the American Cancer Action Network's "Celebration on the Hill" in Washington, D.C. She was part of 10,000 ambassadors and supporters from every congressional district across the country for an enormous Relay for Life rally to advocate for laws that have helped fight cancer.

The event included a large luminaria ceremony around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. McCormack recalls how moving this first luminaria event was for her. When she mentioned that she thought Woburn would be a great city for Relay, the American Cancer Society asked her to become a community organizer and she quickly accepted. She joined the planning committee for Woburn's first Relay for Life soon after in 2007.

“Our first Relay team was comprised of 10 volunteers,” said McCormack. “During the first few years my daughter and her friends were part of a large youth group that took part in the event, and my son participated with the Woburn High Drumline. Our first year’s kick off event and planning meetings took place at the Holiday Inn.”

Now, key government officials support Relay For Life of Woburn, youth participation has grown and the number of creative, committed volunteers has increased as well, McCormack said. The new Paint The Town Purple event gets the community excited about a month prior to Relay For Life, and local businesses – such as Winchester Hospital, an affiliate of Lahey health – and organizations have lent their support, she said. Between 2009 and 2015, the event collected more than $526,000.

“Woburn is a close knit, thoughtful community,” said McCormack. “Although my busy work and personal life take precedence these days, I keep going with Relay because it's tough to give up on an event that builds so much awareness for the fight against cancer. I do what I can now to help, and I am happy the committee members I work with are as passionate about Relay as I am.”

Relay For Life of Woburn is set for Saturday, May 21, to Sunday, May 22, from 4 p.m. – 6 a.m., at Library Park Field, Harrison Ave., Woburn. Full event details are posted at http://www.relayforlife.org/woburnma and more information is available by contacting kayla.hindle@cancer.org or 508-270-4884.