This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Area Residents Running for Life

Nearly 450 people filled Bensalem High School's field, taking on cancer, a disease that has impacted millions of lives. Not even the threat of rain could stop the Relay for Life participants' determination to deliver cancer a knock out punch.

It was a Saturday to remember.  Leading up to the school’s stadium, bulldozers tore through the parking lot, as if serving as an indication of the effort it would take to eradicate the disease that affected more than 11 million people as of 2007 according to the American Cancer Society.  This year’s event started at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 25 with a balloon release, an explosion of colors soaring across the noonday sky.  Faith Buck’s grandson, Kevin Jr., sang “God Bless America” during the opening ceremony.  He has been singing the event’s opening song since he was a small boy.  He sings to inspire and motivate others.  Twelve-year-old Kevin Jr. also sings to honor his mother, a woman who died of cancer before Kevin celebrated his first birthday. 

Out Running Cancer for Survivors and Loved Ones

It’s a reason Kevin’s grandmother, Faith Buck, has worked with Relay for Life since its inception in 1999.  This year, Faith, Kevin Jr. and his father, Kevin Sr. worked the registration booth.  “About 70 teams registered for this year’s event,” Faith said.  “Eight to 15 people make up a team,” she continued. One of those teams was Team Howie, on which members of the Neshaminy Interact Club ran. In addition to helping register participants, Faith represented her family and the Center for Women’s Health located on Woodbourne Road in Langhorne, a place Faith has worked at for 48 years.  

Find out what's happening in Lower Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We raised $184,000 last year,” Gail Bentley, a Relay for Life committee member shared.  “This year our goal is to raise $185,000.”  Gail and her husband, John Bentley, are key organizers for the annual event.  “We have fund raising events all year,” Gail said, rattling off a list of fund raisers the organization puts together.  For example, there’s the beef and beer, bowl-a-thon, raffle baskets and bake off fund raising events.  At this year’s Relay for Life weekend event additional monies were raised by hosting fund raisers like the hula hoop contest, frozen t-shirt contest and a flower sale.  

American Cancer Society’s Impact

Find out what's happening in Lower Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Representatives from the American Cancer Society, the event’s sponsoring organization, were in attendance, handing out information packets with facts about cancer and support services for those diagnosed with the disease.  Across the field from the Society’s tent was a massage booth, making it easy for walkers and runners to treat their recently exercised muscles to a relaxing cool down.  

Drew Braun was one of the early relay participants.  His long, thin frame made it obvious that his passion for running lasted year round.  Representing the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Drew said he got involved with Relay for Life because a counterpart of his, “passed away from cancer.”  Northwestern Mutual has organized a team to relay for life for the past six years.  “I ran for about an hour,” Drew said as he made his way toward the parking lot a little after noon so he could attend a wedding.  He didn’t get far before he added that he’d be back to run more. 

Norah Spencer sat at one of the many field tents.  “I’m a member of Spencer’s Team of Hope” she said.  “My family has participated in Relay for Life for eight years.  I relay because my brother is a 41 year survivor of cancer,” she continued.  “My sister passed 23 years ago from cancer at 35 years old.  We need to bring awareness to people.  Monies raised from Relay for Life provide great services like travel assistance and drug research to people with cancer.”  

Cancer Survivors Come Out to Run and Walk for Others

Several yards from Spencer’s Team of Hope, was the survivor’s tent.  Michelle Woodling worked the survivor’s tent, handing out t-shirts, pins, key chains and bracelets to cancer survivors.  “Survivors bring the bracelet to the luncheon tent behind the stadium,” Michelle said, “so they can enjoy a free lunch.  They can bring one guest with them to the luncheon that’s catered by J & M’s Deli.  “About 40 to 50 survivors have come out so far today,” Michelle shared.  “Some teams arrived last night.  This is my third year at the event,” she added before revealing, “I’m a member of Helen’s Angels.” 

The longer one walked, the more there was to see, to explore.  For example, operating the bake off booth were Chelsea, Mike, Allison and Joseph, four young adults.  Allison attends Bensalem High School and has supported the event for the last two years.  Chelsea, an Erie, Pennsylvania resident said, “This is my first year at Relay for Life.”  When asked why she got involved she said, “I was visiting a friend and decided to participate.”  

Mike said he got involved because, “My grand-mom passed away from cancer in 2006.”  He’s been participating in Relay for Life for five years.  His friend, Joseph, has supported Relay for Life for four years, getting involved so he can help to raise money to find a cure for cancer and to help those with the disease.  It’s one of the events he participates in when he visits Bensalem during the summer, traveling up from Georgia. 

Helping Children and Adults Around the Globe

“This is our first year doing the bake off,” the quartet said.  “If it’s successful, we’d like to do it again next year.”  Joining them at their booth was Emily, a pre-teen who’s been participating in Relay for Life for three years.  “People buy a raffle ticket, taste the baked goods participants donate and vote on the best tasting baked food,” Mike said, providing details on how the bake off works. 

Nationally Relay for Life brings together more than 3.5 million people from more than 5,000 communities.  The effort also has international participants in more than 19 countries.  Because cancer never sleeps the event is held overnight, running for 24 hours from midday Saturday to midday Sunday.  One of the memorable and deeply moving activities is the Luminaria Ceremony, an event that takes place as night approaches.  Bags bearing the name of a person who has been diagnosed with cancer are lit, setting the surrounding area aglow, causing people to remember loved ones and the reason why they’re running and walking to stomp out a disease that has claimed far too many lives. 

Next year’s event is scheduled to be held during the last weekend in June at the Bensalem High School track and field.  All Bensalem and area residents are invited and encouraged to participate.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?