Many teams made Luminaria bags, part of a ceremony at Relay for Life, to remember their fellow student Tom Weaver who passed away from cancer this year. Photo by Nicole McLaughlin

By Amelia Fyler
Ninety-seven teams took a stand against cancer on May 21-22. This was the fourth year the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event graced the town of Hopkinton. The occasion brings a community of people together to Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. against the disease that effects many people.

Relay For Life is an annual event where people raise money for cancer research, treatment, and services supporting those affected by the disease. Each participant who wants to stay the night must raise at least one hundred dollars. All donations go to the cause.

In gorgeous spring weather, teams gathered behind the Middle School at 4pm to set up their tents and belongings for the night ahead, and the Opening Ceremony began at 6pm. Hopkinton Co-Chairs of the Volunteer Planning Committee, Cecily Boyce and Will Relle, gave an opening statement expressing what a success the past four years have been and how this event has grown greater and greater each year. The survivor lap kicked off the relay; forty honored survivors with their loved ones took a lap around the track. Teams took shifts in walking around the track, passing off handmade batons from teammate to teammate. “We lucked out with great weather; at this time last year it was pouring and miserable,” Nicole Rumrill, Co-Captain of the HHS Drama Relay Team, explains, “The planning committee did a great job this year of keeping people out on the track. Everyone is getting involved, which really makes a difference.” The night was filled with themed laps and ceremonies around the school track, activities for those who need to take a break from walking, and other fundraisers and raffles to support the cause.

Co-Chairs of the Board of Entertainment, Shaye Ellis and Kate Martire, had much planned for the relayers this year. “Live music was a great way for everyone to interact and be together on the field. An anonymous donor funded Tim Blane’s live performance,” expressed Shaye Ellis, “There were many mission themed games and activities.” Such activities were “Toss out Cancer”, a bean bag toss game; “Hula for a Cure”; and “Fight Back Flags”, where teams could make flags for those to be celebrated or remembered. There was also a dunk tank to “Dunk Cancer”, which dunked teachers Michael Graeber, Susan Murphy, and Michael Miller. Proceeds from the tank went to the RFL as well. Those who felt like relaxing could watch also watch a movie, such as Finding Nemo, in the football field’s end zone. The new activities brought many more people out onto the track this year than in past years, which is exactly what was hoped for.

As the night went on, people would pause along the track and listen to heartfelt stories of “Why I Relay.” Whether it was a mother, a father, a family member, or a friend affected by the disease, everyone had a purpose in being there. Students and community members expressed their connection to this event and how the support grows each year. “Even though people were exhausted and sore by the morning, it was worth it. Cancer never sleeps, so we were able to give up one night of sleep in service,” Cecily Boyce explains, “So far we have raised $171,000 dollars, but still counting! Our goal this year is $175,000, and I think we will be able to reach that because we collect money until August.”