By Brandie Kessler
bkessler@pottsmerc.com
LOWER POTTSGROVE — Walking along the same path hundreds of cancer survivors will take May 31 and June 1 during the 11th annual Relay for Life of Pottstown, more than 800 Pottsgrove High School students raised more than $1,200 Friday to benefit the local Relay.
Each student gave a donation of about $2 to spend part of their school day Friday to walk along the track.
Health and physical education teacher Roxanne Murgia, who organizes the event with the cooperation of the high school staff and administration, said this was the 6th year the event was held at the high school.
“Teachers promote it in their class,” she said, and “the kids can come out and walk with their class.
“We raised our best ever (Friday): $1,255.00,” Murgia said.
In addition to raising funds for the Relay for Life of Pottstown which ultimately benefits the American Cancer Society, Murgia said the event gives students some exposure to what Relay for Life is.
“We’re part of the puzzle,” Murgia said, referring to the school’s contribution to the bigger picture of raising money for the local relay with the hope of finding new treatments and an eventual cure for cancer. “It’s a team effort and (the students) realize that we’re only one of the many ways we participate.”
Former Pottsgrove High School Principal Joyce Wishart brought the idea of having a Relay for Life event to the school and Murgia has been working to make it happen each year.
“The easy part for me is organizing it and I hope the kids come through,” Murgia said.
And come through the students did.
“It’s great to see the kids come out and support the cause,” Murgia said.