Relay for Life participants party all night to fight cancer - By Michelle Libby

The Relay for Life of Sebago Lakes Region raised just over $50,000 during its annual fundraiser which ends with the relay itself where teams gather to walk around the Windham High School track all night because cancer never sleeps. 

There was a good turnout, according to sponsorship and publicity chair Emily Wainwright. “We had some new teams including the Windham Police Department and WHS French Honor Society that did amazing!”

Activities took place all night. The best parts were Zumba at 3 a.m. with Dinah Aldrich, the survivor lap and the luminary lighting, were lights are turned off and bags decorated in memory or in honor of someone were lit from within while names of survivors, fighters and those who lost their battle were read. 

Music was provided by Hicks Productions. New this year, the relay had a bounce house and a jail which brought in over $500 in donations and were a huge hit with both children and adults. Tabitha Leadbetter, an LMT certified in oncology massage from Graceful Awakening did chair massages for volunteers and team members, according to Wainwright.

 

“The weather was great, the generosity and love were flowing in record amounts and there is just something amazing about bringing a community together for such a worthy cause.  Mike Pelletier won the Nancy Tufts Spirit of Hope Award for his never ending energy and support of both the cause and his beautiful wife, and Becky Driscoll won the American Cancer Society’s Sandra C. Labaree Volunteer Values Award for starting up with Sebago Lake Region six years ago this month—both are the most kind-hearted, driven, caring and supportive people you will ever meet.  It was an honor to present them with these awards and there are no two people more deserving,” Wainwright said.