Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Salute to Survivor
Maddie Moynihan of Collegeville is this year’s Honorary Chair
DOWNINGTOWN >> Relay For Life of Central Chester County, a 24-hour event, is set for Saturday and Sunday at Downingtown West High School.
The theme this year is “Sea A Cure.” The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the track at Downingtown West High School. The Survivor Celebration of Life will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday and the Luminaria Ceremony is also on Saturday, starting at 9 p.m.
The American Cancer Society, the nation’s leading voluntary health organization, selected cancer survivor Maddie Moynihan to serve as Honorary Chair for this year’s 2017 Relay For Life of Central Chester County.
The Relay For Life of Central Chester County had its Annual Survivor Kickoff Dinner April 20 at the Downingtown Country
Club to introduce Moynihan, 15, of Collegeville. She is a freshman at Methacton High School. Moynihan was diagnosed in August 2015 with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer where cells form in muscle tissue. Moynihan underwent almost a year of chemotherapy treatments following her diagnoses. She recently had her nine-month post treatment scans, which are reported to be clear and cancer-free. Although she will need to have surgical treatments in the near future, Moynihan is optimistic and has started a new high school and is enjoying life as a teenager.
Relay For Life representatives said the event brings together teams from local businesses, schools, churches and families for food, fun, music, entertainment, and a night under the stars – while team members take turns walking or running on the track. All money raised from the event will go to cancer research, education, advocacy and service. During the past 22 years, the Relay For Life of Central Chester County has raised more than $5,000,000.
“Survivors are the heart of our event. Our event leadership team and I are very passionate about our survivors and caregivers. We want survivors to know that we are here to support them in their fight and we celebrate their survivorship,” said Event Chair Dawn Kirsch. “As for our caregivers, we know that it is not always easy for them to see their loved ones go through something so difficult. We want them to know that we care and are grateful for all that they do for their loved ones. Our hope is that survivors and caregivers come to our event to celebrate life, laugh, have fun, meet up with other survivors and caregivers. We want to give them inspiration that will help carry them through their journey. Our survivors and caregivers are an incredible part of our Relay Family. We are here to help them finish the fight against cancer.”
For more info on Relay For Life, visit www.RelayForLife.org/paccc.