FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     
APRIL 14, 2009

CONTACT: DEBORAH HARRIS
LEGISLATIVE AIDE
    Office: (631) 854-5100
Fax: (631)-854-5103
 Email:  Deborah.Harris@suffolkcountyny.gov

LEGISLATOR STEVE STERN JOINS HALF HOLLOW HILLS RELAY FOR LIFE KICK-OFF

Team fights cancer through fundraising and awareness

Pictured: Half Hollow Hills Students with l-r:
Joy DeDonato, Director Special Events, American Cancer Society; Legislator Steve Stern; Pam Schwartz, Co-Chair HHH Relay for Life; Lucille Kenney, HHH West Dance Instructor and Debbie Picker, Co-Chair, HHH Relay for Life

HUNTINGTON, NY –Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern (D-Huntington) 16^th LD, joined with the Half Hollow Hills (HHH) Central School District and the American Cancer Society to kick-off the third annual Relay for Life, an overnight celebration of hope, progress and answers. This years Relay for Life will be held June 6^th and 7^th at HHH High School East. Hundreds of participants, including students, parents, teachers and other community members raise funds, awareness and the spirits of those battling cancer.  A special focus is placed on cancer survivors and their families and a special dinner is held to honor them before the Relay begins.  Teams camp out at the track and spend the night walking around the track to raise funds.  A special Luminary Ceremony is held, acknowledging those lost to cancer and those whose fight is ongoing.

“I am proud to participate in “Relay for Life” with my community,” Legislator Stern said.  “Half Hollow Hills has raised more that $450,000 in the past two years and hosted the most successful inaugural event in the history of “Relay for Life.”  I am certain that the dedication and hard work of co-chairs Debbie Picker and Pam Schwartz will be even more successful this year and that our community will once again be a model of generosity, caring and concern for everyone who has been affected by this terrible disease.”

Those interested in joining “Relay” can contact Pam Schwartz at (631) 367-6223 or Debbie Picker at (631) 423-6944 or Joy DeDonato, Director of Special Events for the American Cancer Society at (631) 300-3143, or by visiting www.relayforlife.org/halfhollowhills.ny