Relay continues cancer fight

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - A child wearing an oversize T-shirt down to his ankles, couples walking arm in arm, a woman sporting a bandanna where her hair used to be, all walking for a common cause - they walked because they or someone they know battled cancer.

These are just a few of the people who participated in this year's American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Freehold Township.

They did more than walk around a track all night. They joined a national movement that has raised more than $2 billion since its inception for the fight against cancer, according to a press release from the American Cancer Society.

Cancer survivors celebrated their triumph over the disease by walking in the Survivors Lap to kick off the relay.

They were then joined by more than 1,500 others who took turns moving around the track at Freehold Raceway throughout the night in honor of cancer survivors, caregivers and those who have lost the battle with cancer.

More than $217,000 was raised during the annual event held in June.

In an emotional ceremony, hundreds of candles were lit at a luminaria service as walkers remembered those lost to the disease.

Funds raised from the Relay for Life event help support American Cancer Society research programs, as well as education, advocacy and local patient service programs for cancer patients and their families, according to the press release.

"The American Cancer Society is appreciative of the overwhelming show of support from the Freehold community," said Paul Dinero, American Cancer Society Relay for Life director.

"This community has taken up the fight against cancer and money raised through this event will help provide answers to cancer questions in the middle of the night, support services for patients and their family members and funding for cutting-edge cancer research. This Relay for Life represents hope for those that are battling cancer and hope that the disease will one day be eliminated," Dinero said.