Festive event highlights serious cause

EAST MANATEE — Several of the cancer survivors who took part in Myakka City’s first Relay for Life last year won’t be back this year. They have passed away, victims of the disease.

“It’s an excellent statement on why we need to support this event and to have this community come out. We are a small, close-knit community and it hits home any time one of these people passes away,” said Danny Cacchiotti, chairman of the survivors committee.

Myakka City will rally for 18 hours starting at 6 p.m. todayfor the Relay for Life as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event, which continues until noon Saturday, will be held at Myakka City Community Park on Wauchula Road.

Going into today, 23 teams have raised $29,000, with a goal of $50,000. said Rose Riggle, event chair.

Riggle, Cacchiotti and many others who take part in the Relay for Life have been personally affected by the disease.

Cacchiotti is a colon cancer survivor. Riggle’s 11-year-old-daughter, Leah, is a survivor, having been diagnosed with Wilm’s tumors when she was 6.

Terri Peters, an east Bradenton resident who is registrar at Myakka City Elementary School, volunteered to head up the school’s relay team in honor of her best friend, who has been fighting breast cancer for three years.

The school has raised about $3,000 through its fundraisers, including Friday hat days, when students pay a dollar to wear their hats to school.

“We have lots of hats. This last time about three-quarters of the school participated,” Peters said.

When the American Cancer Society canvassed Myakka City a year ago seeking to learn if the community might be interested in conducting a relay, Riggle immediately raised her hand.

“It was ironic how it happened. I had been seeking a way to support the cause. I got a flier from the Cancer Society they sent to all of Myakka,” Riggle said.

In addition to her daughter’s cancer, she says her family was affected by her mother-in-law’s death from the disease, and her younger sister’s breast cancer. Happily, her sister survived the disease and will be flying in from Ohio to take part in Myakka’s relay.

“The community here is fabulous. It’s a major community effort,” Riggle said.

While the cause is serious, relay participants are expected to have fun, too.

Each of the teams will be dressing as one of America’s 50 states. Activities include a Mr. and Mrs. Drag Queen Contest, a silent auction, a bake sale, the lighting of luminarias at 8 p.m., teams taking lots of laps, the possible participation of several of the Pittsburgh Pirates and more.

There will also be a dinner for 36 survivors at the Myakka United Methodist Church.

The public is invited to come out and take part in the festivities.

For more information, call 745-1214 or visit www.relayforlife.org/myakka cityfl.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee Editor, can be contacted at 745-7021.