There were children prancing around in angel costumes, families noshing on barbeque food and familiar tunes blasting from speakers. It was like one big Islandwide block party at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School track last Friday as Islanders gathered to celebrate life.
But all fell silent when Tammy King, chief organizer of the event, took the microphone to inaugurate Martha’s Vineyard Relay for Life’s ninth annual all-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
Vineyard residents pride themselves on being tough. They brave cold, barren winters, prohibitively high gas prices and interminable summer crowds.
But those Islanders battling cancer are among the hardiest. They face high medical costs, uncomfortable ferry rides and long, painful drives to oncologists and radiation centers. Cancer engages them in emotional, physical and financial struggles each day.
Despite dismal weather conditions, the sixth annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Martha’s Vineyard raised more than $60,000 for cancer research and patient services in the walk through the night to help raise funds and cancer awareness.
When the American Cancer Society’s fifth annual Relay for Life begins this afternoon, more than 400 walkers will take over the track at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs to support patients in treatment for cancer, survivors of the disease and to honor the memory of those lost along the way.
