June 2, 2025 • 9 mins
We spoke with Stephen Morelli from the American Cancer Society about the Relay for Life of Farmington Valley celebrating its 25th Anniversary. To date they have raised $6.5 million dollars for cancer research and programs in CT. This year they are hoping to reach $7 million at their marquee event on May 31st in Avon.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning. Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest this morning is Steven Morelli, Senior development manager with
the American Cancer Society. Good morning, Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Alison, Thank you so much for.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Having me my pleasure. I love Relay for Life and
Relay for Life a Farmington Valley is celebrating a big
milestone this year. Tell us why it's so special.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Well, this year happens to be actually multiple milestones in
the world of relay. It's actually the fortieth anniversary since
the first ever relay on a national level, which started
back in nineteen eighty five with Gordi Klatt who were
in a twenty four hour walk in honor of correctal cancer,
(00:44):
and he ultimately raised twenty seven thousand dollars that day
and sparked a movement that now is celebrating forty years later.
You know, billions of dollars of impact, which is just immense.
And here in Farmington Valley we're celebrating our twenty fifth
anniverse as one of the most impactful Relay for Life
events in the country. In that time, we've raised more
(01:06):
than six and a half million dollars, all going towards
cancer research and patient assistance. Programs and advocacy, all of
the American Cancer Society's mission. So it's definitely a huge milestone.
Not every relay has the length and longevity of this event,
but also the national impact. Last year alone was ranked
(01:29):
eighth in the country out of twelve hundred events, and
consistently in the top ten. So it's a very special
event that brings the entire community together, and you know,
it certainly wouldn't be possible without all of our amazing
volunteers and you know, sponsors and companies and community teams
that all get involved to celebrate our survivors, to honor
(01:51):
the memory of those who have passed, and also to
fight back against cancer.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
What is the data the Relay for Life of Farmington Valley.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yeah, absolutely, it's May first, so where it's just around
the corner, so that's a Saturday. It begins at eight am.
It will be at ninety nine Thompson Road, Avon, Connecticut.
It's a new site this year, so we're very excited
about it. It offers us a lot of new opportunities
and it's actually an all day event. There's lots going
(02:20):
on throughout the day. There's activities, there's ceremonies, there will
be special themed laps. Our theme is carnivals, so there
will be lots of carnival activities such as like dunk
tanks and circus performers and all sorts of fun games
like that. There'll be lots of food truck options throughout
the day too, so really folks can come at any
(02:41):
time throughout the day, and actually anyone who raises more
than one hundred dollars has an opportunity to continue relaying
after dark, so it still remains to this day at
twenty four hour event.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
So the mission would be to help with cancer research,
patient assistance, and more.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yes, absolutely so. The American Cancer Society is the largest
private funder of cancer research, so outside of the US government,
we're the leading nonprofit dedicated in that. So we have
a significant amount of grants around the country, you know,
wherever the best research is done, a significant amount here
in the Northeast, nearly twenty grants in Connecticut, and then
(03:21):
a significant amount in Massachusetts as well, So we definitely
have a you know, a lot of really great research
happening right here in our backyard. But we also invest
in patient assistance, so we have rides to therapies for
cancer patients, and our Hope Lodge facilities offer free night
stays for cancer patients outside of where they're getting treated.
(03:44):
We have a really nice location up in Boston right
now and hopefully expanding to more locations. And yeah, we're
the number one educator. And also we receive a significant
amount of inquiries each year from cancer patients or are
those impacted by cancer, and so we're have a helpline
that's able to assist them as well. So we we
(04:06):
really attack cancer and every way that we possibly can.
We also have a partner company, organization acs CAN Cancer
Action Network, who does our advocacy as well, so we're
advocating for therapies to be made available for folks. And also,
you know, any bills or legislation that pertains to preventative
(04:29):
you know, preventative legislation as far as it pertains to cancer.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
I've attended many many times. I've been blessed to do
that in an MC or host and participate. Let's go
back again to the Relay for Life this particular day
of Farmington Valley. So let's talk about the activities, the
survivor celebrations, the community vibe.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
All of that absolutely yeah. So from the moment you
walk in, you'll be fully immersed into a really festival
type atmosphere. Campsites line the field from different teams, fundraising teams,
or sponsors or companies that all support the mission. Some
of them are holding their own fundraisers and games and activities.
(05:12):
The opening ceremony is eleven am. That's our fight Back Ceremony.
We'll have the national Anthem, We'll have some performers and speakers.
That leads us into a lot of fun afternoon activities
that you'll see and performances, whether it be dancing, sports
or some of these circus activities as well. At four
(05:35):
PM is our Survivor and Caregiver Ceremony, So that's where
we honor those who are in the community and hear
personal and local stories from cancer. You know, thrivers. It
doesn't matter where they are in their uh cancer journey,
whether it's fresh or whether it was many years ago.
We invite everyone in their caregivers to be a part
(05:55):
of that special celebration that leads into the Survivor Caregiver
Reception and which is a nice exclusive dinner that we
provide for cancer survivors and their caregivers, so they'll get
you know, a nice dinner obviously free of charge, and
there's a lot going on inside their survivor tent whereas
(06:16):
there's auction items, there's nice little goodies that they can
take away from it, and we'll have you know, an
exclusive speaking portion as well for them. So it's a
really nice celebration there. And after that, the final ceremony
of the day happens when the sun goes down. We
have our remember ceremony to honor those who have passed,
where we light torches in their memory and also light
(06:37):
our Luminaria bags that are bags that are decorated and
dedicated and filled with a lit candle that lines the track.
And so there's really something going on. No matter what
time you show up during the day, there will be
something interesting or fun or impactful for you to do.
(06:57):
And also be remiss if I didn't mention five drug
hm Right, it's.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
A very moving, inspirational and touching day but also a
lot of fun. If people would like to sponsor, volunteer
or make a donation, what could they do?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Absolutely so visit our website at www dot Relay for
Life dot org slash Farmington Valley CT. That's the best
way to get pre registered or start a team, or
there are sponsor opportunities still available that you can see
on the site. Our sponsor packet is on the site
(07:33):
as well, but yeah, you can. You can learn a
lot about the event as well as the run of
show schedule will be posted relatively soon. But if you
want to get involved or make a secure donation, you
can do so on the website or there are contact
is on there too. You could always reach out to
myself or someone from our committee if you have questions
(07:54):
or you know, want to find you know, the best
way to have the largest impact.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
As I understand, and this cause is personally meaningful to you,
would you like to share why?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Well? I think you know, I think it touches all
of us personally because almost everyone knows someone who has
been unfortunately impacted by cancer. You know, in my own
personal experience, I unfortunately lost my grandfather to lymphoma, and
my grandmother had two forms of cancer throughout her life
(08:24):
and she was given only a few years to live
in her forties, but then lived to be eighty eight
years old. And you know that was before a lot
of the advancements that we've had today, so you know,
it really is amazing to see how far we've come.
One thing that I definitely would like to emphasize is that,
you know, I've worked with the American Cancer Society a
(08:45):
few years now, and so I've also adopted a lot
of other folks stories as well that are you know,
very close to my heart through the years, and to
help them honor their loved ones and give them a
night of celebration hope, and you know, wreckon mission is
really also what inspires me. So it becomes personal both
(09:06):
through my own personal experiences but also the touching stories
that I've heard from around the community.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I'm speaking with Stephen Morelli, Senior Development manager with the
American Cancer Society. The Relay for Life of Farmington Valley
is May thirty first. If you'd like more information on
how you can become involved, walk, volunteer, sponsor, make a donation,
go to Relay for Life dot org. Sportslash Farmington Valley.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
C T.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Steven, thank you so much for being here today and
for sharing your story.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Thank you so much for having me and we look
forward to seeing folks on May thirty first. Thank you
Good morning. Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest this morning is Steven Morelli, Senior development manager with
the American Cancer Society. Good morning, Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Alison, Thank you so much for.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Having me my pleasure. I love Relay for Life and
Relay for Life a Farmington Valley is celebrating a big
milestone this year. Tell us why it's so special.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Well, this year happens to be actually multiple milestones in
the world of relay. It's actually the fortieth anniversary since
the first ever relay on a national level, which started
back in nineteen eighty five with Gordi Klatt who were
in a twenty four hour walk in honor of correctal cancer,
(00:44):
and he ultimately raised twenty seven thousand dollars that day
and sparked a movement that now is celebrating forty years later.
You know, billions of dollars of impact, which is just immense.
And here in Farmington Valley we're celebrating our twenty fifth
anniverse as one of the most impactful Relay for Life
events in the country. In that time, we've raised more
(01:06):
than six and a half million dollars, all going towards
cancer research and patient assistance. Programs and advocacy, all of
the American Cancer Society's mission. So it's definitely a huge milestone.
Not every relay has the length and longevity of this event,
but also the national impact. Last year alone was ranked
(01:29):
eighth in the country out of twelve hundred events, and
consistently in the top ten. So it's a very special
event that brings the entire community together, and you know,
it certainly wouldn't be possible without all of our amazing
volunteers and you know, sponsors and companies and community teams
that all get involved to celebrate our survivors, to honor
(01:51):
the memory of those who have passed, and also to
fight back against cancer.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
What is the data the Relay for Life of Farmington Valley.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yeah, absolutely, it's May first, so where it's just around
the corner, so that's a Saturday. It begins at eight am.
It will be at ninety nine Thompson Road, Avon, Connecticut.
It's a new site this year, so we're very excited
about it. It offers us a lot of new opportunities
and it's actually an all day event. There's lots going
(02:20):
on throughout the day. There's activities, there's ceremonies, there will
be special themed laps. Our theme is carnivals, so there
will be lots of carnival activities such as like dunk
tanks and circus performers and all sorts of fun games
like that. There'll be lots of food truck options throughout
the day too, so really folks can come at any
(02:41):
time throughout the day, and actually anyone who raises more
than one hundred dollars has an opportunity to continue relaying
after dark, so it still remains to this day at
twenty four hour event.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
So the mission would be to help with cancer research,
patient assistance, and more.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yes, absolutely so. The American Cancer Society is the largest
private funder of cancer research, so outside of the US government,
we're the leading nonprofit dedicated in that. So we have
a significant amount of grants around the country, you know,
wherever the best research is done, a significant amount here
in the Northeast, nearly twenty grants in Connecticut, and then
(03:21):
a significant amount in Massachusetts as well, So we definitely
have a you know, a lot of really great research
happening right here in our backyard. But we also invest
in patient assistance, so we have rides to therapies for
cancer patients, and our Hope Lodge facilities offer free night
stays for cancer patients outside of where they're getting treated.
(03:44):
We have a really nice location up in Boston right
now and hopefully expanding to more locations. And yeah, we're
the number one educator. And also we receive a significant
amount of inquiries each year from cancer patients or are
those impacted by cancer, and so we're have a helpline
that's able to assist them as well. So we we
(04:06):
really attack cancer and every way that we possibly can.
We also have a partner company, organization acs CAN Cancer
Action Network, who does our advocacy as well, so we're
advocating for therapies to be made available for folks. And also,
you know, any bills or legislation that pertains to preventative
(04:29):
you know, preventative legislation as far as it pertains to cancer.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
I've attended many many times. I've been blessed to do
that in an MC or host and participate. Let's go
back again to the Relay for Life this particular day
of Farmington Valley. So let's talk about the activities, the
survivor celebrations, the community vibe.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
All of that absolutely yeah. So from the moment you
walk in, you'll be fully immersed into a really festival
type atmosphere. Campsites line the field from different teams, fundraising teams,
or sponsors or companies that all support the mission. Some
of them are holding their own fundraisers and games and activities.
(05:12):
The opening ceremony is eleven am. That's our fight Back Ceremony.
We'll have the national Anthem, We'll have some performers and speakers.
That leads us into a lot of fun afternoon activities
that you'll see and performances, whether it be dancing, sports
or some of these circus activities as well. At four
(05:35):
PM is our Survivor and Caregiver Ceremony, So that's where
we honor those who are in the community and hear
personal and local stories from cancer. You know, thrivers. It
doesn't matter where they are in their uh cancer journey,
whether it's fresh or whether it was many years ago.
We invite everyone in their caregivers to be a part
(05:55):
of that special celebration that leads into the Survivor Caregiver
Reception and which is a nice exclusive dinner that we
provide for cancer survivors and their caregivers, so they'll get
you know, a nice dinner obviously free of charge, and
there's a lot going on inside their survivor tent whereas
(06:16):
there's auction items, there's nice little goodies that they can
take away from it, and we'll have you know, an
exclusive speaking portion as well for them. So it's a
really nice celebration there. And after that, the final ceremony
of the day happens when the sun goes down. We
have our remember ceremony to honor those who have passed,
where we light torches in their memory and also light
(06:37):
our Luminaria bags that are bags that are decorated and
dedicated and filled with a lit candle that lines the track.
And so there's really something going on. No matter what
time you show up during the day, there will be
something interesting or fun or impactful for you to do.
(06:57):
And also be remiss if I didn't mention five drug
hm Right, it's.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
A very moving, inspirational and touching day but also a
lot of fun. If people would like to sponsor, volunteer
or make a donation, what could they do?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Absolutely so visit our website at www dot Relay for
Life dot org slash Farmington Valley CT. That's the best
way to get pre registered or start a team, or
there are sponsor opportunities still available that you can see
on the site. Our sponsor packet is on the site
(07:33):
as well, but yeah, you can. You can learn a
lot about the event as well as the run of
show schedule will be posted relatively soon. But if you
want to get involved or make a secure donation, you
can do so on the website or there are contact
is on there too. You could always reach out to
myself or someone from our committee if you have questions
(07:54):
or you know, want to find you know, the best
way to have the largest impact.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
As I understand, and this cause is personally meaningful to you,
would you like to share why?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Well? I think you know, I think it touches all
of us personally because almost everyone knows someone who has
been unfortunately impacted by cancer. You know, in my own
personal experience, I unfortunately lost my grandfather to lymphoma, and
my grandmother had two forms of cancer throughout her life
(08:24):
and she was given only a few years to live
in her forties, but then lived to be eighty eight
years old. And you know that was before a lot
of the advancements that we've had today, so you know,
it really is amazing to see how far we've come.
One thing that I definitely would like to emphasize is that,
you know, I've worked with the American Cancer Society a
(08:45):
few years now, and so I've also adopted a lot
of other folks stories as well that are you know,
very close to my heart through the years, and to
help them honor their loved ones and give them a
night of celebration hope, and you know, wreckon mission is
really also what inspires me. So it becomes personal both
(09:06):
through my own personal experiences but also the touching stories
that I've heard from around the community.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I'm speaking with Stephen Morelli, Senior Development manager with the
American Cancer Society. The Relay for Life of Farmington Valley
is May thirty first. If you'd like more information on
how you can become involved, walk, volunteer, sponsor, make a donation,
go to Relay for Life dot org. Sportslash Farmington Valley.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
C T.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Steven, thank you so much for being here today and
for sharing your story.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Thank you so much for having me and we look
forward to seeing folks on May thirty first. Thank you
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