Bensonhurst

Bishop Kearney team raises $4,000 for cancer research

June 23, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Bishop Kearney High School has sent a team to the Relay for Life event for 10 years. This year’s team braved a heavy rainstorm to raise money for cancer research. Photo courtesy of Bishop Kearney High School
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Students from Bishop Kearney High School became warriors in the war against cancer and raised $4,000 for the effort to find a cure for the devastating disease.

The money was raised by students who took part in the 19th Annual Relay for Life event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life, which takes place in cities and towns across the U.S. and around the world, is one of the largest fundraising events for the American Cancer Society.

The relay is an all-day happening in which dozens of participating teams walk continuously around a track on an athletic field to symbolize the determination to beat cancer. The participating teams raise money for the cancer society through pledge donations from family members, friends and co-workers.

Relay for Life of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst and Dyker Heights, as the local version of the event is called, took place at Poly Prep Country Day School in Dyker Heights on June 17.

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Bishop Kearney’s team, called “Hope for Change,” has been participating in Relay for life for more than 10 years, according to school officials.

“Unfortunately everyone has a link to someone who has been touched by this disease and the students put all their best efforts into fundraising in the HOPE that research will CHANGE the face of this disease,” team director Maria Giarracca said in a statement.

The “Hope for Change” members took turns walking around the Poly Prep track throughout the day.

The relay gives the participants a chance to pay tribute to cancer survivors and honor the memory of friends and loved ones who lost their lives to the disease.

At the opening ceremony, Police Officer Anthony Passaro and John Quaglione, deputy chief of staff to state Sen. Marty Golden, were honored for their community work.

The relay also featured a ceremony and an honorary walk around the track by cancer survivors.

At sundown hundreds of candles in paper bags were lit for a Luminaria ceremony as a remembrance of those who died of cancer. Each bag listed the name of a cancer victim.

The Relay for Life event was just one of several activities that marked a busy end of the school year for Bishop Kearney students. The school is located at 2202 60th St. in Bensonhurst.

On June 17, Marie Nera, Nicole Abbate, Kelley Castro, Donatella Bavaro, Maria Giambanco and Gabriella Guzman took part in a student concert at Carnegie Hall.

Under the baton of guest conductor Dr. Christian Grases, the Bishop Kearney students were part of a 100-voice choir that performed “La Doncella,” a piece composed by Alberto Grau. The piece was performed with an orchestra and incorporated body percussion, improvisation, narration and extensive use of syncopation.

The concert was arranged by the organization Distinguished Concerts International New York.

 


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