Annual fundraiser honors past ambassadors
Joanne Ritenour of Connellsville leads a group of women and men for Zumba fitness during the Fayette County Relay for Life event at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus Saturday afternoon. The event continues through noon Sunday.
Lisa Rose (left) places a crown on the head of Cassie Collins of Uniontown, who is this year's ambassador survivor for the Fayette County Relay For Life event that opened Saturday at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus. The event will continue through noon Sunday.
Michael Santore of Mt. Airy, Md., brother of the late Jason Santore of Uniontown, carries a portrait of his late brother as he leads the first lap of the Fayette County Relay for Life event at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus Saturday afternoon. The Relay for Life event continues through Sunday at noon.
Kamry Uhazie,15, daughter of Kristen Uhazie of Uniontown, sings the national anthem to open the Fayette County Relay for Life Saturday at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, as members of the Vietnam Veterans Inc. of Fayette County present the colors.The event continues through Sunday.
The 17th Fayette County Relay For Life honored its past ambassadors with Saturday’s opening ceremonies. The 24-hour event at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, annually raises contributions for cancer research through the American Cancer Society.
Among the returning ambassadors was Cassie Collins, who is a senior at Laurel Highlands High School. Collins was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 9 months, began treatment when she was 2-years-old and was diagnosed as cancer-free when she was 4.
She was the first survivor ambassador in 1999 and 2000 and is doing her senior project at LH by serving as co-chair for the luminaria project along with Mike Czernatowicz.
The daughter of Marci Collins and Chris Collins of Uniontown, she said she has some memories of her early experiences with cancer. “Some are dark memories before I started radiation. Most are all a blur because I was so young,” Collins said.
Her future plans include pursuing a career in meteorology after enrolling at California University of Pennsylvania.
When asked about how she feels about receiving so much attention, Collins said, “I appreciate the attention but I don’t feel that I need it. I already beat it. There are so many other people who are fighting cancer and need the attention.”
Saturday evening’s luminaria program featured lights placed on the word HOPE to remind participants of the common theme for survivors and those who continue to battle cancer.
Another past ambassador who attended the event was Casey Jo Chapley of Fairchance, who was the 2001 ambassador. Her mother, Belinda Clark, said Casey was afflicted with retina blastoma as an infant. “You don’t know how your child will turn out,” Clark said. “She has thrived and grown up to be beautiful and smart.”
Chapley has no sight in her right eye, but has 20/20 vision in her left eye. Now a sophomore, she has made the varsity cheerleading squad at Albert Gallatin High School and competes on the track team. In a few years, she’ll be able to drive.
“She was treated from 1997 to 1999 and has been cancer free since then,” Clark said. “We still have checkups in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each year.”
Well before Saturday’s opening ceremonies, campus security guard Scott Blocker began helping the Relay committee with transportation and setup duties. Co-chair Barbara Yalich-Fike said Blocker “has been phenomenal” in helping the committee and volunteers.
Blocker arrived at the campus to help with initial preparations on Friday, even though it was the day of his 23rd wedding anniversary because, “It’s for a good cause.” He said he would be leaving the site around 4 p.m. Saturday, return at midnight and “walk with some of the diehards.” His weekend duties will end sometime around 3 or 4 p.m. on Sunday.
During the opening ceremonies, Yalich-Fike said the many participants are “working for a great cause of reaching the goal for a cure.” She asked participants “to take time to visit all the campsites and make new friends.”
Co-chair Ed Kustron acknowledged the many sponsors who help to make the Relay For Life possible. He then introduced Dr. Francis K. Achampong, who is the chancellor for the Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Achampong welcomed the gathering to its second year at Penn State Fayette. He said cancer “affects so many on a global basis. The word cancer strikes fear and terror in the minds of many. We all know people who have been affected by cancer in one way or another.”
He said the event remembers survivors for their battles and honors the memories that others have left behind. “This event inspires hope in all of us,” Dr. Achampong concluded.
Individuals who were introduced to join Collins and Chapley in the initial survivor lap were past ambassadors Dorothy Shaffer (2003), Frances Kachur (2006), Don Bell Sr. (2008), Don Bell Jr. (2008), Reynold Bell (2008), Jonna Hall (2010), Shelly Ralston (2007), Lisa Rose (2010) Roger Glisan Jr. (2002), Mary Ellen Gumro (2005) and Lidia DiConcilis (2009). Mike Santore walked with the ambassadors while carrying a picture of his late brother Jason Santore, who served as the ambassador in 2004.
Among Sunday’s concluding events will be the 6 a.m. sunrise service, a 9:15 a.m. flag ceremony, The Torch of Hope Ceremony at 10 a.m. and the closing ceremonies at 11:30 a.m.