Nordic Relay for Life returns to Trapps
This weekend marks the 11th annual Relay for Life NordicStyle, and it’s still the only event of its kind. While the Relay for Life is a popular American Cancer Society fundraiser across the country, Stowe’s Trapp Family Lodge is the only venue where the event is held on snow.
Stowe resident and cancer survivor Jane Weaver started the event, which has grown to attract international participation, according to Danielle Woolsey, Relay for Life specialist with the New England division of the American Cancer Society.
“Participants come from all over the U.S. and Canada,” Woolsey said. “Trapps is such an ideal location because of its tourist attractions, history and beautifully maintained trails.”
While many participants cross-country ski or snowshoe, some simply walk the oval trail, which represents the circle of life. Most participants are part of a team, although Woolsey said there are some individuals who sign up on the day of the event and go it alone. The goal is to keep at least one team member on the track through the 12-hour overnight event.
Teams are encouraged to set up a campsite for the night if the weather is agreeable. However, many participants book rooms at Trapp Family Lodge.
Local radio personality Frankie Allen is taking part as part of the Radio Vermont Group team, The Radio Relayers.
“It’s important for me to continue to honor the spirit of my sister Gloria, who passed away of breast cancer three years ago,” Allen said. “She battled with the horrible disease for 20 years but finally passed at the age of 64.”
In addition to supporting Allen and his team, the Radio Vermont Group has signed on as a media sponsor for the event.
“We will have a team representing WDEV, WLVB, WCVT and WEXP, headed up by our captain Amy McGovern, who was the one who got the ball rolling for us as her mom is a recent lung cancer survivor,” Allen said.
With the help of corporate and client sponsorships, Allen said his team has raised over $14,280 for the American Cancer Society.
“We hope folks will come out and help us continue the fight against Cancer,” he said.
The American Cancer Society has set an $80,000 fundraising goal for the Relay for Life NordicStyle. As of this writing, 178 participants on 32 teams had reported raising over $54,860.
The event starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 22, and goes until 6 a.m. the following morning.
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