Lynn’s Relay for Life honored for excellence

LYNN – The 2007 New England Division “Longevity of Excellence” award was recently presented to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, to honor the Lynn group’s growth in the 5- to 9-year-old relay category.In 2007, Lynn’s relay experienced a 110 percent growth, raising more than $65,000 up from $31,457 in 2006.In 2005, the event raised $50,953, in 2004 it raised $59,796 and in 2003, the event pulled in $37,359.Assistant City Clerk and event co-chair Janet Rowe attributed the award to the expansion of the program, which originally fared well in its first and second years when it was held at Manning Bowl, but experienced a decline in the third and fourth years when it was held at Breed Middle School.”I think this year turned out well because we finally found a home at Red Rock,” she quipped. “We knew that we had to find a bigger place and we thought about having it at Lynn Woods or Frey Park, but decided on Red Rock Park.”Rowe said a certificate is on its way to City Hall, where it will be framed and posted.”There was some calamity going on in years past, but we couldn’t have had better weather for the 2007 event,” she said. “We hope to include the neighboring communities of Marblehead, Nahant and Swampscott in the future.”The relay is the largest activity and the most successful national fundraiser held by the American Cancer Society.In 2007, 198 relays were held in New England, which raised $23.9 million dollars and was used to support programs of cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services through the American Cancer Society.Relays are an overnight program that typically last 12 to 24 hours. Teams of eight to 15 people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns continuously walking, jogging, or running around a track or path.The 2008 relay will be held Friday, June 13 through Saturday, June 14 at Red Rock Park on Lynn Shore Drive.For more information or to volunteer for the event in Lynn, call Ashley Abelson-James at 781-314-2608 or Rowe at 781-598-4000.