For 12 hours (6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) on Friday, April 13, over 700 people walked or ran laps around Merrimack’s Lawler Rink during the Relay for Life – an overnight, non-competitive walk in honor of those who have succumbed or continue to fight cancer.
Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the event – which started at Merrimack in 2007 – raised over $60,000 to support disease research, programs and services for people touched by cancer. As a morale booster to the walkers, two-time Super Bowl Champion and former New England Patriots Wide Receiver Danny Amendola headlined Relay for Life as part of this year’s President’s Speaker Series. Merrimack football coach Dan Curran conducted a Q & A session on stage with Amendola who shared his advice about overcoming life’s obstacles.
“Whatever you do in life there will be adversity and things you can’t control, it’s not easy,” said Amendola. “Surround yourself with positive people – positive coaches, friends and family. I’ve been blessed to surround myself with good people and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”
After speaking on stage, Amendola conducted a meet and greet where he talked and took photos with cancer survivors and their families, as well as over 70 Relay for Life organizers.
Over 80 teams participated in Relay for Life including a Merrimack faculty and staff group named the “Road Warriors” who ran for 24 hours (Friday 6 p.m. to Saturday 6 p.m.) and collectively accomplished the equivalent of nine marathons – approximately 236 miles. Other special events that took place during the Relay for Life included a Survivor/Caregiver Lap and a Luminaria Ceremony where participants light-up paper bags – each bag representing a life impacted by the disease.
For more information about Relay for Life and how to donate, visit www.RelayForLife.org/Merrimack. Amendola’s visit on campus was sponsored by Robert McCusker ’68, AT&T and the Office of the President.
