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Event Spotlight: Relay for Life Brewster, June 3

By Meghan Friedland, Publisher/Editor, Macaroni KID Greater Danbury, CT May 24, 2023

Brewster Students Against Cancer, many from the Class of 2023, will be walking on behalf of Zach Schwartz, who would have graduated this June, at the Brewster High School Relay For Life event on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Zach Schwartz passed in 2019 from leukemia.  

Relay For Life is a volunteer-led experience that unites communities across the world to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Cancer doesn’t stop, so neither do we.

“Zach was a kind soul to every person that he met. He left an impact on me and others because of his warmth and fun-loving personality. When I think of Zach, I always remember his contagious smile and how good of a friend he was to all. Zach’s spirit will never be forgotten because of his ability to foster lasting friendships, leaving an impact on the entire community,” said senior Juliet Arroyo, Relay for Life officer at BHS.

“The officers for Brewster Student’s Against Cancer are very dedicated and involved in varied sports and clubs.  They find the time to show up for countless hours outside of school (weekends and evenings) to raise awareness and funds for cancer. It is evident that this group of young adults lead with their hearts and are genuinely motivated to make a difference in the life of others,” said Michelle Villano, BHS student advisor for Relay For Life.

“It is our hope that Zachary’s story continues to inspire others to take up the cause to fight this dreaded disease. No child and their family should ever have to suffer through this,” said Joelle Schwartz, Zach’s mother.

WHO: Cancer survivor Joelle Schwartz, leading team ZACC Attack, (Zach Attacks Childhood Cancer), will be speaking about her cancer journey, her mother’s and son’s cancer stories; students, teams, survivors, teachers and administration  

WHEN: Saturday, June 3, 2023, 5 p.m. Opening Ceremony Begins

WHERE: Brewster High School (BHS), 50 Foggintown Rd., Brewster, N.Y.

WHAT: Teams and individuals celebrate cancer survivors, remember/honor those who have lost their battle to cancer, and fight back by fundraising.  At RFL, participants take turns walking around a track or path. Music, games, food, and fun. After dark, Relay participants share an emotional moment when each luminaria is lit in remembrance of a life touched by cancer. Together, we take a moment of silence to remember the loved ones they’re dedicated to. Still and video photography permitted.

Since 1985, Relay For Life has raised $6.8 billion, allowing the American Cancer Society to invest $3.1 billion in cancer research, contributing to 3.5 million fewer cancer deaths. Dollars raised each year by over 250,000 Relay participants across the country help support the American Cancer Society’s mission in countless ways – providing education and advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their families and providing essential services throughout their cancer journey.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit relayforlife.org/BrewsterNY. 





About The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support.  We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.