Ridgeites fight back against cancer

Bay Ridge residents who participated in the Relay for Life atthe Fort Hamilton Athletic Field on June 18 are committed toremembering the loved ones they lost to cancer – and making surethat the disease doesn’t claim any more lives.

This year’s relay, the 13th annual such event in Bay Ridge,attracted 52 teams -equivalent to around 300 participants – andraised $140,000 for the American Cancer Society. New to this year’sevent was the Big Pitch for Hope sponsored by Toyota and theBrooklyn Cyclones, the Best Birthday Cake in Brooklyn contest, andthe Gift of Life bone marrow drive.

District 20 Community Education Council President Laurie Windsor;Dr. Robert DeLuca, a chiropractor in Bay Ridge; Nancy Gasparino;Joe DiGrazia and Grace Scotto were honored that day for theircontributions to Relay for Life. Organizers of the event also paidtribute to Tom Kane, a civic leader, former columnist at TheBrooklyn Eagle and executive director and co-founder of theBrooklyn One Theater and Film Youth Ensemble, who died on Feb. 3after a nine-month battle with cancer.

Since its inception 26 years ago, Relay for Life has generated over$3 billion for cancer research and patient services, and each yearpeople create teams to participate in about 5,000 relays in 18countries.

Nancy Colt, director of special events for the American CancerSociety’s Brooklyn office, emphasized the importance of thiscommunity fundraiser.

This relay for life event is a wonderful opportunity for thecommunity to come out and support all of our family and friends whohave been touched by cancer, Colt said.