Despite the rain that soaked the grass and track of Middle Village’s Brennan Field, over 400 people attended Relay for Life of Middle Village and raised over $170,000 to honor those whose lives are impacted by cancer.
Relay for Life is an event that aims to celebrate and honor people in their battle with cancer, whether they are survivors, caregivers or have lost the battle. Money raised goes to the American Cancer Society for research, education, advocacy and service.
This year, Leandra Navetta participated in her sixth Relay for Life. Navetta attended her first Relay for Life through her work with the YMCA, but soon found that it helped her deal with her life as a cancer survivor.
When Navetta was three years old, she traveled to America from Brazil with her mother. She battled leukemia as a child, and being a cancer survivor has always been a part of her identity.
“I have never really spoken about being a cancer survivor before and being here made me embrace it. I found my voice and I found myself,” Navetta said.
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