MV fights on with mini-Relay

BY TOM FONTANA
Correspondent

Walking can be very healthy, for walkers as well as survivors.

“No One Fights Cancer Alone” was the theme for this year’s Relay For Life held on the Mountain View campus on Friday, May 29. Relay For Life is a program created by the American Cancer Society, not only to promote cancer awareness, but also to raise money for cancer research and to aid people battling the disease.

In addition, the event celebrates the triumph of those who have been diagnosed with cancer, and are either battling to overcome it, or have successfully won the battle and are survivors.

During the 8 ½-hour event, which started at 2 p.m., teams of walkers took turns strolling around the track, having at least one team member circling at all times. Each team member contributed a $10 registration fee to participate.

Many of the teams also conducted fundraisers during the event, like food sales (such as roasted ‘taters,’ chocolate covered marshmallows, and lemonade), games, face painting, and even foot washing for “tired tootsies.” Woodshop students of high school teacher Glen Mackey constructed cutting boards out of wood scraps, and sold them for $15, with proceeds benefting the American Cancer Society.

According to chairperson of the event, high school guidance counselor Donna Porter, about 40 teams participated, and 780 members were registered to walk. The Clifford, Harford and Hop Bottom fire companies were standing by to provide safety and hot dogs. Mt. View graduate James Johnson served as DJ, providing music throughout the event, at times with a spontaneous female vocal group of elementary school students.

“This is our second year to sponsor the event,” Porter commented. “It draws together the most diverse combinations of people from our schools as well as the community. It’s amazing to see people who would normally not encounter each other on a daily basis come together to work for this great cause.”

Most teams wore colorful, specialty t-shirts with a logo and team name, which included: Against All Odds, Cancer Crush, Keep On Survivin’, Cashin’ In For A Cure, Every Step Counts. Some teams were named for people they were supporting. Bailey’s Team, the largest with 60 members, conducted basket raffles in honor of 10-year-old Bailey Ruess, a Mt. View fourth-grader from Harford Twp., who has battled leukemia on and off since she was 16 months old. Another team highlighted school board director Sondra Stine, a cancer survivor, with the slogan: “We walk for our fighter Sondra Stine.” Melvin ‘Bubba’ Oakley was remembered along with the memory of others whose names were printed on team shirts of 17 family members and friends.

Scanning the field around the track, Stine looked at the crowds of children and adults, and stated, “Susquehanna is a great community. Look how they all came out for this. It’s just wonderful.”

At dusk, candles were lit in bags around the track to remember those lost to cancer. The ‘Luminaria Ceremony’ was a glowing tribute to loved ones, as well as those who served as their devoted caregivers.

Following the event, Porter predicted proceeds would reach nearly $30,000, which included funds raised from a “Breakfast With Elsa” party held on a Saturday morning in May in the high school cafeteria.

The Susquehanna County Relay for Life will be held June 26-27, at the Montrose Area High School in Montrose. To join the fight, please contact Cindy Delaney at 570-562-974