On a Beautiful Day
They Raise Over $160,000
BAY RIDGE — A beautiful Saturday equaled a record crowd and a record fundraising event for the American Cancer Society’s 10th Annual Relay for Life for Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst.
The day began with a Survivors Luncheon where over 200 cancer survivors were presented with a medal and their caretakers were given a purple sash. The ceremony started with our national anthem sung by Jessica Corbin, whose 6-year old son, Spencer Smith, was one of the Honorary Survivors.
A full day of events was promised and delivered. Co-chairpersons June Johnson and Amy Procidia made sure of that. “Can you believe this turnout?” said Johnson of the luncheon before the festivities even started. “This event is the longest continually running Relay for Life in the country,” she added.
Local politicians were out in full force. State Senator Marty Golden, Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, and Councilman Vincent Gentile spent time with the survivors at the luncheon and each did a lap around the field.
One of the many corporate sponsors, Commerce Bank, had plenty of handouts for all the participants thanks to Branch Manager James McHugh, a staple at all community events. The event was run in partnership with the local AARP. Commerce had Al and Gail Asfazadour from AARP manning the early part of the day and Commerce’s own Eileen Holmes, Alex DeJesus, Isabelle Masters and Bill Thurston on board for the rest of the day. Team Commerce relayed in memory of William Thurston.
Of the 50 teams, P.S. 69 was in full force very early. Organized by teachers Diana Girgenti, Christina Bruno and Principal Janemarie Capetanakis, this group relayed in memory of Francesco Anthony Loccisano, Bruno’s cousin, who lost his battle with bone cancer and leukemia last September. They sat under a tent donated by BenBay Realty and handed out water to the crowd, thanks to sponsor Salvatore Girgenti.
Later that night, Johnson introduced the candle-lighting ceremony by dedicating it to Francesco Loccisano and saying, “Let’s all live by one of Frankie’s beliefs, which was hope.” With over 5,000 candles burning around the quarter-mile track, it was a sight to behold.
Sally Cooper, the regional vice president of the American Cancer Society, closed the evening by thanking the crowd and telling them of the monies raised up to that point. “We raised over $160,000 so far,” Cooper told the cheering crowd.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2008
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