Relay for Life kick-off rally will be Jan. 25

NORTH CANAAN — It will be nearly summer again when the annual Relay for Life takes place in the Northwest Corner, but teams are already gearing up, and looking for new ways to raise funds for the American Cancer Society (ACS).

A kick-off rally and opportunity to start or join a team will be held on Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Geer Village in North Canaan.

The event blossomed in June, the second year it was held here. There was a substantial increase in the total raised, from about $24,000 the first year to well over $100,000, earning an award for the largest increase in New England. The ACS has not even set a goal for an increase next year as it normally would. But those involved are not willing to rest on their laurels.

The most successful fundraising team at the Relay (held at Housatonic Valley Regional School) was a group called “What Would Stevie Do?� They were inspired by husband-and-wife Steve and Claudia Segalla, who both died of cancer.

Their daughter, Stacey Oates, is spreading holiday cheer — and raising even more money.

She is asking that donations be made to the ACS as holiday gifts. For every donation, she will send an American Cancer Society holiday card letting the recipient know a donation was made in his or her name. Oates is purchasing the cards, which also benefits the ACS.

Donations can be made on-line with a credit card or by mailing a check directly to Oates at 32 Leffingwell Road, Southfield, MA 01259. Checks should be made payable to “American Cancer Society.â€� Include the name and mailing address of the person to receive the card.  

“I hope you know how much I appreciate your generosity and how proud I am to have people in my life who are passionate about ending cancer,� Oates wrote in an e-mail. “Thanks to your support, the American Cancer Society is saving lives and creating more birthdays by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against a disease that will affect one in two men and one in three women in their lifetime.�

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