Relay For Life of the Two Rivers Takes Place on May 18 at RBR

The Relay For Life of the Two Rivers will take place at the
Red Bank Regional High School (RBR) football and track field on Friday, May 18, beginning at 3 pm and concluding on Saturday, May 19, at 5:30 am.  RBR is located at 101 Ridge Road in Little Silver, NJ. The Relay encompasses eight towns of the region including: Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Little Silver, Rumson, Fair Haven, Oceanport, Sea Bright, and Monmouth  Beach. Residents of all ages will walk or jog around the RBR track all day and night to raise funds to
keep one step ahead of cancer. All our welcome to participate and can come that day or register on the web by googling “Relay For Life of the Two Rivers.” For
additional information contact the ACS Staff partner Jennifer Hernandez at 732-320-6066 or jennifer.hernandez@cancer.org 

 The festive event sports a carnival atmosphere with neighbors, friends, and families recreating for a cause that engenders hope. A colorful tent city will form the hub for activities designed to keep the fun flowing and the contestants moving. These activities include a water balloon toss, hula hoop contest, tug of war, soap box derby,  scavenger hunt, minute-to-win-it games and more. Special events for the youngest participants include face painting and cupcake decorating, among others. The artistic students of Red Bank Regional will lend their performing talents to the event which will feature performances by three student-led bands, a DJ, and poetry slam.  

The event is chaired this year by RBR teacher and West Long Branch resident, April Chichelo who has been involved with the Relay since she began her career at RBR four years ago. She is joined by Tinton Falls resident and cancer survivor Veronica Cozzi who raised $9,000 at the event last
year with her team. Jennifer Hernandez is coordinating activities on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

April Chichelo states, “Last year, the Relay For Life of the Two Rivers raised $94,000 with 500 participants. Little by little, year after year, we are winning this fight to defeat cancer by raising awareness for treatment and research money for medical breakthroughs.  We hope to break last year’s record at this year’s Relay and encourage everyone to come out for a cause that touches so many people.”

Opening Ceremonies begin at 7 pm. Guest speakers include Little Silver resident John Bitman and Michael Cozzi, a teacher at Red Bank Middle School. Michael will be
speaking on the perspective of a caregiver to his wife Veronica. Veronica Cozzi will also speak at the special Survivor Dinner that is held at 5pm in the evening and donated by the McLoone family. Survivors in the  community are welcomed to attend the dinner and share their experiences.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event, and the largest charity fundraiser in the world. It
is an overnight community celebration where teams of people camp out, and walk or run around a track “relay” style to beat cancer. Just as cancer never sleeps, so must at least one team member stay awake to travel the track
throughout the event signifying the diligent quest to find an eventual cure for cancer. Funds raised support cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services in the community.