- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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The national office of the American Cancer Society announced plans to feature this year's Tompkins County Relay for Life in its promotional materials to be updated this summer. The event will be filmed at the Lansing High School track by an Atlanta-based advertising agency. "I am thrilled that we have been selected as an example of the spirit of Relay," said Deborah Mohlenhoff, Tompkins County Relay for Life Chair. " I encourage each and every member of our community to attend the event and show the nation that Tompkins County is committed to a goal of eliminating cancer."
 Lansing High School students formed the 'Bobcats For A Cure' team. They washed cars and will walk all night to raise money for cancer research. |
With Ithaca High School's track undergoing repairs this summer, Relay for Life will be at the Lansing track this summer. "Lansing has responded to this event coming here," says American Cancer Society Staff Partner Allison Knoth. "The school district -- incredible. The town -- incredible." Lansing High School's Atletic Director Ed Redmond is excited to host the event, which is in its ninth year in Tompkins County. "I think it's a great cause," Redmond says. "They're very sharp people who are organizing the event. They're talking about bands and they're going to put tents up on the field. It's a big event."
So far 68 teams have been formed, and Knoth says there is no deadline for forming new teams. In fact, she encourages it. But she says that for the practical purpose of having enough time to raise funds new teams should shoot for the beginning of July at the latest.
Lansing High School students have formed their own team and were raising money for the cause with a car wash at the Pit Stop last Saturday. Taylor Sweazey persuaded 16 fellow students to join her team, which they dubbed 'Bobcats for a Cure.' "My Mom's done it since I was little and I used to go with her," she says. "I always thought I wanted to form a team, so I finally decided to do it this year."
Taylor's mother Melinda has either led or been on the 'Walking for Friends' team for eight years. She is proud of her daughter's initiative in forming her own team, and was helping out with the car wash. "It's great," she says. "She's been wanting to form a team for a few years, and this year she organized it. I'm glad she's having fun doing it. We made posters and baked goods last night. She's having fun."
Taylor's team mates were enthusiastically washing cars and talking about their team. "It's for charity and that's a good thing," Nick Mallinson said. "It's good to hang out with friends. It's for a good cause." Walker Diebolt agreed, "I just wanted to help out." Melinda Sweazey began walking in the event in the event eight years ago. "At the time we had two coworkers that were going through chemo," she says. "Unfortunately both of them have passed away."
Knoth says you don't have to be on a team to enjoy the event. "We just want the community to come and find out what we're all about," she says. "Anybody can come. It's not just people walking the tracks. There will be a lot of things going on." This year's theme is "Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a Cure." That means an Oz theme, which was kicked off at an event at the Lakewatch Inn last February where Knoth and local volunteers dressed as characters from 'The Wizard of Oz.'
 In February organizers held an event for participants to kick off the 'Oz' theme. (left to right) Deb Mohlenhoff (Glinda), Alison Knoth (Dorothy), Dan Tier (Tin Man) and Joe Macrina (Lion). |
With the exception of Knoth the entire event is run by volunteers. It revolves around a relay in which a community member forms a team, getting sponsors to donate money. At any given time during the 15 hour relay there should be at least one member of the team walking around the track. A dinner for cancer survivors precedes the event, and they are invited to walk for an hour before the relay begins. The track is lined with luminaria, bags with candles lit inside, to honor cancer victims and survivors. "That's an astonishing piece of the event that's not to be missed," Mohlenhoff says.
With the national attention there will be even more excitement. "I think this is a great opportunity to capture the spirit of Relays in the Eastern Division and showcase them on a national level," said Karen Becker, National Communications Director, American Cancer Society. Fred Bonn, Director of the Ithaca/Tompkins Convention and Visitors Bureau agrees, "We're thrilled to see Ithaca chosen as a national model for the Relay. Ithaca is a beautiful, active, caring community and it's wonderful to be recognized for it by such a prestigious organization."
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