BY JESSICA PARKS
Hundreds of Brooklynites
joined others from across the
state, country and globe pledging
their support to fi ght cancer
on Jan. 8.
“We want to thank everyone
who participated in Relay
First Lap,” Elaine Delaney
wrote on Facebook. “It was
truly amazing to see all the
videos from Brooklyn, videos
from across our beautiful nation
and all the videos from
around the globe.”
The cancer research organization,
Relay For Life,
kicked off the year with its
First Lap initiative asking
people from around the world
to go outside, take a walk and
post a video of themselves doing
so with the hashtag Relay
First Lap.
The First Lap serves as
a precursor to the organization’s
annual relay — the biggest
fundraising event of the
year for the society, according
to Delaney, who thanked the
participants for their fi ghting
spirit against this deadly disease.
COURIER L 20 IFE, JANUARY 14-20, 2022
“We want to thank everyone
who participated in Relay
First Lap,” Delaney wrote on-
Facebook. “It was truly amazing
to see all the videos from
Brooklyn, videos from across
our beautiful nation and all
the videos from around the
globe. Everyone did their part
in getting the word out about
Relay For Life and kicking off
the 2022 season.”
Videos poured in from all
over the world, and Brooklyn
was defi nitely included. In one
series of short fi lms, a group of
Brooklynites strolled through
Dyker Beach Park around 1
pm with signs emblazoned
with words of support to those
who are in their fi ght against
cancer — and even a Golden
Retriever came out to participate!
The First Lap event takes
place several months before
the Brooklyn chapter’s main
fundraiser, which will be held
on June 11, to help spread the
word and kick off collecting
donations.
The funds will go towards
fi nding treatments for various
forms of cancer, which kills
around 600,000 people each
year, according to the Center
for Disease Control and Prevention.
Brooklyn relayers have
already collected more than
$14,000 ten days into the new
year towards their target of
reaching $75,000 in 159 days.
The PS 186 Wonder Walkers
— Bensonhurst’s Dr. Irving
A. Gladstone elementary
school — are the team who
have raised the most funds
as of Jan. 10 with $3,654. The
highest individual participant
has raised $2,941.
A four-legged friend came out to
show his support to Relay for Life.
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Some Brooklyn relayers met for a stroll around Dyker Beach Park to kick
off the fundraising season. Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Passing the baton
Relay for Life Brooklyn kicks off 2022 along
with other chapters across the world
“Everyone did their
part in getting the
word out about Relay
For Life and kicking
off the 2022 season.”
Initial visit with coupon only. Must mention at time of appointment. Excludes house calls. Expires 01/31/2022
Walk-Ins Welcome Brooklyn: Mon. 9am-2pm, Wed. 9am-12pm & 4pm-7pm, Fri. 1pm-6pm
2075 Flatbush Avenue
Avenue P / Near Library