Debbie Tornabene said she’s grateful for the American Cancer Society and events like Relay for Life.
Tornabene participated in the Aug. 3 Leyden and Norwood Park Relay for Life event at Elmwood Park High School. At Relay for Life events, participants take turns walking around a track for hours to raise money in the fight against cancer.
“I’m a two-time cancer survivor,” Tornabene said. “It’s so important to raise money for research and treatments.”
Noreen Lundin, co-chair for the event in Elmwood Park, said it is the second year for Leyden and Norwood Park townships to have a combined fundraiser. The event raised nearly $37,000, according to community development manager Heidi Gonzalez.
Lundin said there were 18 teams at this year’s event.
“Last year, we raised around $42,000,” Lundin said. “The money goes towards research, advocacy and patient and family services.”
Gonzalez said the opening ceremony of Relay for Life was the most important part of the evening, consisting of co-chairs Lundin and Elmwood Park Trustee Tony Del Santo making opening remarks. Alyssa Patzelt, team captain of Tam’s Deputies, spoke as well.
“We combined nine communities together for this event, and it has gone fabulously well,” Gonzalez said.
Cancer survivors made their way onto the track for a victory lap and then were able to enjoy a dinner from Massa Café Italiano afterwards. Gonzalez said luminaria bags were lit in honor of survivors, as well as those who have lost their battle against cancer.
“We remember those that are fighting and those who we’ve lost,” she said. “We continue to fight.”
The event included a DJ, an Elvis impersonator, food and raffles.
“Relay for Life is the signature event for the American Cancer Society,” Gonzalez said.
Tornabene’s team consisted of nine members. Her team was called the Geri Hatricks because, she said, they’re all over the age of 40 and they “love” hockey.
“I had breast cancer when I was 32 and again when I was 40,” she said.
Tornabene explained that she found a lump and had it checked out. After a surgical biopsy, her doctors said it was malignant. She said she had a lumpectomy.
“The second time I had cancer, I caught it early on with a mammogram,” she said. “Women should have a mammogram on a regular basis.”
Tornabene said she began getting involved with Relay for Life when it was in Franklin Park in the late 1990s.
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“The American Cancer Society requires funding for people who need it,” she said.
Lauren Nelson participated in Relay for Life on the team called Tam’s Deputies. Her aunt had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“She’s a survivor,” Nelson said.
Nelson explained that their team was made up of around 20 people including family and friends. She said finding a cure for cancer is important to their family.
“It was tough, but my aunt is a really strong woman. My family all stuck together,” she said. “There needs to be a cure.”
Gonzalez said those interested in donating can visit relayforlife.org/leydennorwoodil. She said the website will be accepting donations for the next eight weeks.
Gonzalez noted that the American Cancer Society will be having another event, Stick a Fork in Cancer, in Rosemont from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1.