Clawson

Participants gear up for another Relay in Clawson

By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

CLAWSON — With at least six immediate family members and friends lost to various forms of the disease, the American Cancer Society’s work is near and dear to Melissa Coatta.

But the cause hits even closer to home than that. Coatta was diagnosed with melanoma six years ago.

“I was lucky and caught it early,” the 31-year-old lifelong Clawson resident said.

When she walks in the annual Relay for Life of Clawson this May, she’ll be five years free of cancer. This year she was named chair of the event, which is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser.

“It’s a great way to remember people who unfortunately have been lost to cancer,” she said. “I’ve lost grandparents, an aunt, my college roommate, my husband’s aunt and husband’s cousin. So it hits really close to home.”

Coatta has been participating in the relay for five years, and now has a team of family and friends walking alongside her each year. She said her favorite part about the event is getting to know other cancer survivors and share experiences, and that was especially true in the year following her diagnosis.

“It’s nice to hear other people’s stories,” she said. “You share a common goal.”

Relay for Life is designed to help the community celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones who lost their battle and fight back by raising research money and awareness. The highlights of the 24-hour event are the Survivors Lap, the Luminaria Ceremony and the Fight Back Ceremony.

There is no minimum fundraising amount to participate beyond the registration fee, and survivors who go to the relay can participate for free. They also get a free gift.

Anyone interested in learning more about Relay for Life can attend a kick-off party at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Clawson City Hall, 425 N. Main St. It is open to the public, and there is no commitment to join.

“It’s an inspiring event where they’ll hear from cancer survivors and caregivers,” said Felicia McMullen, a community representative with the American Cancer Society. “It’s an opportunity to learn a little more about what relay is and kind of decide if it’s something they want to be part of, as a team or alone, to celebrate being a survivor.”

Registration is from 6-6:30 p.m. and presentations begin at 6:30 p.m.

The kick-off event is not a requirement in order to participate in the relay. Those interested can also call McMullen at (248) 663-3435, or visit www.relayforlife.org.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com or at (586)218-5006.