relay for life

Here's your chance to enjoy a special Date Night every night for a year (significant other not included). 

Employees at the Bank of Castile branch on East Main Street, Batavia, are auctioning off this grand prize as a fundraiser for Relay for Life.  The prize value is more than $700. 

Tickets can be purchased at the branch, $1 for one ticket, $3 for five, and 10 for $5.

The raffle was organized by Michelle Cryer, who wasn't available today at picture time. Pictured are Lauren Drier and Amber Reese. 

Photographer Amanda Earl attended the Relay for Life at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday. The annual event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and brings together the families of those who have lost loved ones to cancer as well as cancer survivors.

Nicole Voltura has survived nine cancer surgeries and was the "Survivor of Honor" for the event. Her initial diagnosis was in 2011. It was chondroma sarcoma, stage one. She is now fighting a rare autoimmune disease that is caused by her past medical situations. It's terminal. She is a mom, and credits her husband for pulling their family through, keeping the kids strong, and being her constant caregiver.

Different colored beads were handed out at the completion of each lap around the track. Each color represents a different type of cancer.

These signs, signed my local people, will be used in Washington, D.C., at a rally to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

Walkers finished Genesee Community College's six-hour "mini Relay for Life" last night with a dusk "Luminaria Ceremony" honoring the memory of cancer victims and people lives have been touched by cancer. The bags lining their path contained lit candles and each one was dedicated to a particular individual.

Suzanne Smith, of Batavia, "Luminaria Ceremony" coordinator and cancer survivor, is pictured here with her sons, Richie and Mikey.

This is the college's second annual "mini Relay for Life," which is a partnership between GCC's Wellness Center and the American Cancer Society.  It is also a sort of prelude to the annual "Relay for Life" at Van Detta Stadium, which will be held on Aug. 24.

More pictures:

Kristina Groff, American Cancer Society staff partner, and Michelle Williams, the event chair.

Master of Ceremonies John Kochmanski, who is with the college's radio station.

Jace Little, fundraising specialist and safety officer at College Village, and Tiffany Ralston, who was on the event's public relations committee and serves as a "Living Learning" advisor at College Village.

For more information on "Relay for Life," visit relayforlife.org/bataviany