2024 Marks 20th Anniversary 'Relay For Life' Run In Plainview

PLAINVIEW, NY

Plainview-Old Bethpage, NY — Local charities are the unsung heroes of our communities. Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations strive to create lasting change and positively impact the lives of those around them.

Some people start organizations as a way to cope with grief, some see an issue they want to tackle, and some want to bring lasting change. Sometimes, all those reasons apply.

Patch wants to highlight your local charity and connect it with community members who want to help and do good, so that way, more people can benefit. Here is just one of many charities doing terrific work in your community.

What is your name?

Stephanie Ralton

What is the name of your charity?

Plainview-Old Bethpage Relay for Life

What is your position within your charity?

Co-Chair

What community is your organization based in
Plainview-Old Bethpage

Link to your website
https://secure.acsevents.org/s...

What is your mission?
Improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

What does your charity do to further its mission? Please list examples.
Donations raised from Relay for Life fund life-saving research, free rides to treatment, a 24/7 helpline for all those touched by cancer, free nights of lodging for patients and their families at the Hope Lodge and more.

What inspired you to start your charity?
I did not start this charity but have been volunteering with Relay for Life for 14 years. I started as a way to remember and honor my mother-n-law, who bravely fought cancer for 6 years.

I continue to volunteer for the students I work with- so that I may give them the strength to deal with a parent suffering through chemo each night. Or that I may give them the strength to face a future without a parent. I relay to give them a place to put their anger. I also relay for the students in our community who lost their own battles.

I volunteer because Relay for Life gives me HOPE.

How can people help you accomplish your organization's mission or get involved in events?
People can help by registering and/or attending our event on June 1. We welcome everyone to our planning meetings on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 at the Plainview library. We are celebrating our 20th year!

What is the most memorable moment you've had since starting your organization?

Relay for Life celebrates the survivors, remembers those we have lost and fights back against cancer. The most memorable moments are always during our luminaria ceremony. There is nothing more beautiful than the sight of hundreds of luminaria bags lining the track event to honor and remember those with cancer.

What are your organization's social media pages or handles?
You can find us on FB at Relay for Life of POB or on Instagram at plainviewoldbethpagerfl

Do you help run a charity?

Nominate it here or share this link with someone who does.