6th Annual Relay for Life of Rahway

Posted on by Dan DiBella Posted in Our Publications, Our Town Rahway
(above) Start of the Honorary Survivor Lap

Relay for Life of Rahway

Submitted by Submitted by Michele Miller

The 6th Annual Relay for Life of Rahway Event was held on Saturday, June 10th, at Rahway River Park Stadium, in Rahway, NJ. This event is the largest of the year which benefits the American Cancer Society. All funds raised are used for cancer research, clinical trials, and services for patients, including, but not limited to, rides to treatments, and assistance in paying for their treatment medications.

(above) Members of the Rahway High School ROTC escorted our most honored guest, the Survivors, to their seats.

During the event, those that have lost their battle to cancer were memorialized in a very many ways, not the least of which, was a very touching silent lap around the track amidst the glow of the luminarias and the lanterns carried by the attendees. Also, honored and celebrated were the survivors and their caregivers. The survivors were the VIP’s of the entire day. They were escorted to their seats by the Rahway High School ROTC, Linden Police Chief David Hart, and our local dignitaries, including Assemblyman Emeritus Jamel C. Holley, Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, City of Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, and Rahway City Council Members Joseph Gibilisco, Vannie Deloris Parson, Jeffrey Brooks, Jeremy Mojica, and Joanna Miles. The survivors were also awarded medals which were bestowed upon them by the aforementioned dignitaries, and oncology nurse Marisol Mateo.

There was a DJ and plenty of fun and entertainment for children and adults, generously provided by the Holton/Tobin Families. Our national anthem was beautifully performed by Ryan Sautner, a student of Kean University. 

(above) Survivor Diane Cassidy and her loving supporters.

The event was attended by 150 cancer survivors, with a total of 450 participants in all. We reached and exceeded our goal of $75,000. Donations for this year’s event will be accepted until August 1st.

sponsors, teams and vendors, Renee Sarnicki and the Relay for Life of Rahway’s Event Leadership Team, and the countless volunteers!

Please visit our website at relayforlife.org/rahwaynj for information regarding cancer prevention, support and services for patients and families, survivor registration, ways to get involved, future events, or to make a tax-deductible donation.

(above) Survivor Garrett Sutphen poses with the cancer ribbon he made to represent the many different forms of cancer.
(above) Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe places a medal on a Survivor.
(above) One of our many sponsors, The Bella Kind Foundation, was created by Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe and his family in memory of their daughter, Bella.