WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Relay For Life organizers are hoping to surpass the $1 million mark in total funds raised for the American Cancer Society since the event’s inception in 2009.
“Our goal is to hit $1 million. We’re at $928,000. We can do it this year,” Vice Chair Kim Martiniello told the Wilmington Board of Selectmen on Monday night.
The Wilmington Relay For Life is a 12-hour overnight, outdoor fundraiser, beginning of Friday, June 17 at 5:30pm and ending on Saturday, June 18 at 5:30am.
After 2 years at the Shawsheen Tech and 2 years at the Wilmington Middle School, the event returns “home” to the Wilmington High School, where it was held from 2009-2011.
Participants will walk on the track and camp out on the outfield of the baseball field. (The turf football field, the baseball field’s infield, and the baseball field’s dugouts will be off limit.)
The event will feature an opening ceremony, survivors lap, caregivers lap, luminaria ceremony, and a closing ceremony, plus food, live music, themed laps, relay races, and fun competitions.
New this year will be the inclusion of “virtual survivors,” individuals who can’t attend the event due to distance, mobility or health, but can register and have a member of a team walk in their place and carry a sign with that survivor’s name.
To date, according to Martiniello, 22 teams and 140 participants have already signed up. (Residents from Tewksbury are also invited to participate. Tewksbury High School students, for example, have formed a team.)
Martiniello asked the community to keep an eye on fundraisers for each team, including canning at Dunkin Donuts around town and a dance show fundraiser — “Wilmington Dances For Hopes” — where all of the town’s dance studios come together to host performances on the same stage.
“We will need additional support from local businesses — monetary donations, products and services — and more teams and participants,” noted Martiniello.
Martiniello thanked Town Hall and the Selectmen for their support of the event, including for allowing the Town Common lights to be turned purple during the month of May.
“[Relay For Life] is such an uplifting event for families in this community to celebrate life, remember people they’ve lost, and take up a battle against this disease,” said Selectwoman Judy O’Connell. “The event is a shining example of volunteerism and what it means to give back.”
“I lost my mother to cancer at age 42,” said Selectman Mike McCoy. “[Cancer] is such a tragic thing. I appreciate what you folks are doing.”
“I am staggered by these numbers,” said Selectman Mike Champoux. “The $1 million mark that you’ll be reaching this year is no small task. Congratulations!”
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