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Fairfield Steps Out To Fight Cancer At Relay For Life At Sacred Heart

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- More than 50 teams and over 500 participants gathered in Fairfield on Friday night as Sacred Heart University held its seventh annual Relay For Life fundraiser at its William H. Pitt Center.

Dorothy Holland, a 50-year cancer survivor, beams as she leads the parade of survivors at Friday's Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

Dorothy Holland, a 50-year cancer survivor, beams as she leads the parade of survivors at Friday's Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
More than 50 teams, along with volunteers, survivors and anyone who wanted to join the cause, assemble to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

More than 50 teams, along with volunteers, survivors and anyone who wanted to join the cause, assemble to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Some of the young volunteers at Friday's event.

Some of the young volunteers at Friday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Survivors celebrate with cupcakes.

Survivors celebrate with cupcakes.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
More than 50 teams, along with volunteers, survivors and anyone who wanted to join the cause, father to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

More than 50 teams, along with volunteers, survivors and anyone who wanted to join the cause, father to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Sacred Heart University President John Petillo, left, with event organizers Lily DiPaola and Olivia Traina at Friday's all-night event.

Sacred Heart University President John Petillo, left, with event organizers Lily DiPaola and Olivia Traina at Friday's all-night event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Fifty-year cancer survivor Dorothy Holland leads the parade of survivors. Holland was diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer in 1964.

Fifty-year cancer survivor Dorothy Holland leads the parade of survivors. Holland was diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer in 1964.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Teams gather to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

Teams gather to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Students pose with Sacred Heart's mascot Big Red.

Students pose with Sacred Heart's mascot Big Red.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Teams gather to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

Teams gather to support Relay for Life at Sacred Heart University.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Students line up to register for Friday's Relay for Life.

Students line up to register for Friday's Relay for Life.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

Fairfield First Selectman Michael Tetreau, Sacred Heart President John Petillo, and student organizers Lily Dipaola and Olivia Traina made brief comments to the crowd at the start of the all-night event to fight cancer.

The theme of the year was Game Night, with a play-on-words slogan - “Life May Be A Twister, But SORRY Cancer, We Are In It To Win It.” 

Relay For Life was organized by Sacred Heart students in support of the American Cancer Society.

The goal this year is to raise close to $50,000 and to make the event more theme-oriented than ever before. Last year, the event raised $44,000.

Relay For Life is made up of many different teams, consisting of friends, campus clubs, alumni, Greek Life organizations and more. 

The night included games such as a giant Operation and bubble soccer, as well as fun and creative homemade games.

The committee put together “Relay-Care,” or specific games and activities tailored to young children who came with their families to allow parents to enjoy the evening while their children were entertained. 

For more info, visit www.relayforlife.org/sacredheart.

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