CARIBOU, Maine — Over 120 survivors and 400 participants including 27 relay teams joined in the fight against cancer at Aroostook County’s annual Relay For Life last Friday and Saturday at the Caribou High School track.
This year’s teams managed to raise $111,000 for cancer research. Top teams were McCain Foods’ Searching for a Cure, Butterflies For Hope and the UMPI Owls. The money raised goes to the American Cancer Society, the second largest contributor to cancer research under the federal government, according to event leadership team member and cancer survivor Karin Howe.
Howe hopes that Relay can give people the confidence and the optimism they need to finish the fight against cancer, “without people to support someone undergoing cancer and chemo they would not make it at all. You have to have a big support system,” Howe said.
Survivors stayed up all night making laps and enjoying the company of loved ones. Late into the evening they lit the track with luminaries and celebrated those who’ve passed on. Early the next morning participants made pledges to change their lives and make the necessary steps to continue the fight against cancer.
This year’s Survivor Tent sponsor was Cary Medical Center. “It’s a nice event for the community and to bring people together,” Regen Gallagher, Cary’s Chief Medical Officer, said. “It’s wonderful to meet everyone that’s involved. The patient doesn’t go through this by themselves, it effects the entire family, so to get to be a part of this with them is a wonderful experience.”
