Relay Kickoff 2003

The 2003 Barker Relay Rally Kickoff was a success despite "Old Man Winter's" blustering & freezing cold. Nearly 100 brave people trudged, slid & crawled through the ice & snow to join together to get Barker's Relay 2003 off to a good start.

The evening was opened by Darlene Lutz, Relay Chair for 2001 & 2002 who welcomed all & spoke eloquently about what Relay means to her. 2003 chair, Jacki Galeas then thanked last years committee & then outlined some of the changes & improvements planned to make 2003 the most successful event to date.

Jacki then introduced Deb Bogdan, our staff partner from the American Cancer Society.

I think there is little doubt that the most memorable feature of the evening was the moving speech given by Danielle Dent, this year's Honored Survivor. As you may have already read in the Lockport Journal, there was barely a dry eye in the house as Danielle shared her experience as a survivor of Ovarian cancer, having been diagnosed at 15 years of age. Her story is one of courage & faith & the importance of family & friends. Danielle is now 17 & healthy & happy. We are happy to join her to "kick some cancer butt".

A Luminaria ceremony followed with candles being lit while Andrea Gatas sang her rendition of I'll Stand By You. Shortly after this Deb Bogdan shared a story of her meeting with a young boy who was walking the track in honor of his mom who had breast cancer. She announced that along with the Survivors Lap, there will also be a Caregiver's lap to honor those that have been there in support of their loved ones that have been stricken. White & purple carnations were given to survivors & to caregivers.

Jacki then announced some enhancements for Relay 2003 - including an incentive for half-price registration if your registration is turned in & paid for by March 27th (which just happens to be the next Captain's meeting at St. Pat's). This year's theme "The Stars Come Out at Night", Candles of Hope and other activities planned to make this year's relay even more fun & exciting.

The kickoff closed with another song by Andrea and a PowerPoint presentation highlighting photos from Relays 2001, & 2002, fundraisers, the Relay Bus' visit to Barker and Celebration on the Hill. & of course, plenty of food, pop & punch.

For those of you that couldn't attend, please feel free to contact any of the Committee Members, or your team captain. Fundraisers are already in the works & teams are being formed now. Check out the Community Calendar to see what's in the works.