Family Focus
Relay For Life: A chance to make a difference.
SheIli Liebman Dorfman
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Senior Writer
Tans for the 2009 Relay for Life of West
Bloomfield are in full swing, with team
meetings and fundraising plans well
under way. The Relay at West Bloomfield High
School will take place from 10 a.m. Saturday, June
6, through 10 a.m. Sunday, June 7, is part of the
annual signature event of the American Cancer
Society (ACS).
Participants in the West Bloomfield Relay will
join the more than 3.5 million individuals from
4,900 communities across the country that gather
to celebrate the lives of those who have battled can-
cer, remember loved ones lost and bring awareness
and funds to the fight against cancer.
Relay For Life is an overnight event with teams
— several from area synagogues — camping out
and taking turns walking or running around a
track. In addition to the actual relay, individual
team fundraisers and cancer awareness programs
take place.
"The event also has things for children to do
like inflatable bouncers and other fun activities,"
said Caryn Jaeger of Farmington Hills, a member
of Team Chaverim formed by family and friends
of the late Matt Lash, when he was diagnosed with
cancer several years ago.
The West Bloomfield Relay, chaired by Staci
Goldman and Kim Northey, both of West
Bloomfield, kicks off with a 10 a.m. Saturday "sur-
vivor walk," followed by a free luncheon for survi-
vors and caregivers.
Food and other items are sold at the event and
many teams bring items to be auctioned for dona-
tions."Team Chaverim will have its own silent auc-
tion," Jaeger said. "We have donated items coming
from places including hair salons, restaurants and
clothing stores."
The team will also sell books, donated by Barnes
& Noble, and silver stretch bracelets with inspiring
messages, such as "believe" or "dream" for $8-$12,
with all proceeds going to the ACS.
"The most moving time of the entire day is
the luminaria, which begins at 10 p.m. Saturday,"
Jaeger said. "The lights are out and the track is lit
with luminary bags during the walk. The luminary
bags are placed in memory of or in honor of a per-
son who has battled cancer. There's rarely a dry eye
in the house when we're done walking" 11
For information or to make a donation to the
American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of West
Bloomfield, access the Web site at www.relayforlife.
org or call (248) 663-3400.
n an effort to include their younger
members, the Dream Team enlisted an
enterprising teen to help out with fund-
raising efforts for this year's event. "[Team
member] Ally Gloceri [of West Bloomfield]
has her own business, at 14, making and
selling bottle cap necklaces on eBay," said
Tracy Naftaly, co-captain of the Dream
Team, along with Michelle McCormick, both
of West Bloomfield.
"We approached her to make the neck-
laces as our fundraiser. She was thrilled and
solicited my 13-year-old daughter Ashley's
support and off they went making the com-
plicated necklaces every weekend for at least
a month. They have made over 200 neck-
laces, while juggling sports and homework."
"The philosophy of the Dream Team is
to get kids involved and make them more
Ally Gloceri, 14, and Ashley Naftaly, 13, both of West Bloomfield,
understanding and compassionate towards
display some of the Dream Team's fundraising necklaces made from
helping others who are in need," Naftaly
bottle caps.
said. "This is a cause very near and dear to
us, as several family members are battling
cancer and some have lost the battle. We hope that
Orders for the Dream Team's bottle cap necklaces will be
we can make a difference. Our 'dream' is that wishes
taken at the Relay or by calling Tracy Naftaly at (248)
do come true and that one day there will be a cure for
421-1747: Cost: $5. All proceeds go to the American
cancer." ill
Cancer Society.
I
This year's West Bloomfield Relay
For Life will be the only site in
Oakland County for enrollment in
the Cancer Prevention Study-3
(CPS-3), created to better under-
stand the lifestyle, environmental
and genetic factors that cause or
prevent cancer.
This will be the third ACS Cancer
Prevention Study. The first two
brought the discovery of the link
between cigarette smoking and lung
cancer and the impact of air pollu-
tion on cardiopulmonary conditions.
Participants may register for the
study at the Relay on Saturday,
June 6. Those who enroll must be
between ages 30-65, never diag-
nosed with cancer and must be
willing to make a long-term commit-
ment to the study, which includes
follow-up surveys completed at
home. The 20-30 minute enroll-
ment includes completion of a brief
survey, waist measurement and
blood sample taken at the site and
completion of a baseline survey at
their home.
"This is a once-in-a-genera-
tion opportunity for Americans
to participate in lifesaving cancer
research," said Dr. Alpa V. Patel,
ACS strategic director of CPS-3,
who is overseeing the study. "While
we have been conducting these
types of studies for decades, our
world-class research department
can only study new and emerg-
ing cancer risks if members of the
community are willing to become
involved."
CPS-3 is an ACS event, not con-
nected with any Relay team. "The
first CPS was done in the early
1950s, and from that research it
was determined that there is a
direct link between cancer and
tobacco," said Caryn Jaeger, a
member of Relay Team Chaverim
and also co-chair of the CPS-3 pres-
ence at the West Bloomfield Relay,
along with Susie Graham of West
Bloomfield.
"Today, that's looked at as a
'duh,' but it was news then. That
one, and the CPS-2, which began
in the 1980s, are outdated. There
is no cost, no more appearances
anywhere, no phone calls, nothing.
Everything is done in the strictest
confidence and the blood is taken
by Quest Diagnostics." L-1
Enrollment for CPS-3 will take place
11:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Saturday,
June 6, in a tent labeled CPS-3
enrollment. For information or to
volunteer, call Kari DeCarlo at (248)
663-3423 or e-mail Caryn Jaeger
at caryn@jaegerjournal.com or
access the Web site at www.cancer.
org/cps3.
On Track on page B20
May 28 2009
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