Next Saturday, hundreds of determined Hobokenites will fill Pier A Park on a journey to find a cure for cancer. The American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life” gathers communities throughout the country to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones who have passed away, and raise money for the fight against cancer. One of those who will be walking will be City Council President Ruben Ramos Jr., who, after being elected to the post in April 1999, was diagnosed with a form of cancer known as Hodgkin’s Disease that forced him to take a temporary leave from his full-time job teaching public school in Paterson.
“Cancer is something that has touched my life personally, but everyone has, in some way, been affected by cancer,” Ramos said last week. “This is a disease that needs to be defeated, and it’s great to see the entire community rally around such a good cause.” This is the American Cancer Society’s signature event in over 2,000 communities across the nation.
On May 22, more than 40 teams of five to 30 people will gather on Pier A and begin a 13-hour relay in which at least one member from each team will be on the track at all times. This is the second year that Hoboken has had its own Relay for Life. Last year, Hoboken residents raised over $74,000 for cancer research and support programs for those who are battling the disease. This year, organizers hope to more than double that number and raise more than $150,000.
Relay for Life is a unique fundraiser that allows cancer patients, family members, medical personnel, corporations, civic organizations, churches and community volunteers to join together against a disease that will strike two out of five people. Cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States, despite advances in medical care and research. “The Relay for Life is a community gathering where everyone participates in the fight against cancer,” said Mayor David Roberts, who is sponsoring a relay team. “It’s an opportunity to bring together hundreds of Hobokenites to raise money to help prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from the disease.”
Relay for Life began in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., when Dr. Gordon Klatt ran and walked solo around the track at the University of Puget Sound, raising $27,000 for the fight against cancer. Klatt’s vision of creating a relay-style team event materialized the next year when 19 teams participated in the City of Destiny Classic – now called the Relay for Life.
A powerful day The Relay For Life event is many things, from a festive celebration of life honoring those who are currently beating cancer to a solemn memorial to friends and family who have been lost. The relay beings with the survivor’s walk, where survivors take the first lap around the track; some make the trip on crutches or in wheelchairs. As the day progresses, there will be a festival-like atmosphere with over 13 different local bands scheduled to perform. The Hoboken Hospitality Association will provide free meals for all survivors, and the Board of Education Transportation department will be selling barbecue food. There will also be numerous games and information booths.
There will be the luminary service held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle with cancer. More than 3,000 luminary candles will line the track and will be left burning throughout the night. Everyone from the community is invited to attend the event and can participate in the walk. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. and the relay will begin at 11 a.m. Officials from the American Cancer Society will be on hand to collect donations and to sell luminary candle for a minimum donation of $10. For more information, call (201) 356-3698 or visit www.cancer.org.