Huge turnout for SJU Relay for Life

After four relatives came down with cancer, the Kearney clan decided to fight back. About 25 relatives rallied for the second-annual Relay for Life at St. John’s University to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society (ACS) and cancer research.
“We came prepared,” said Mary Lahey, who drove down from upstate New York for the event on Friday, April 13. The team all wore hunter green T-shirts with the slogan, “Kearney Clan” emblazoned on the back.
Although Lahey’s aunt Mary Lou Bornman, uncle Ron Gagliano and grandmother Mary Kearney had all beat the disease, Lahey’s aunt, Sheila Corrigan, a St. John’s alumna, is still undergoing treatments to eradicate her lung cancer. An East Meadow, Long Island resident, Corrigan was diagnosed with the disease about two months ago, right after Christmastime.
“We all wanted to show Sheila that we wanted to support her,” Lahey said, explaining why the family came out from as far away as Pennsylvania for the Relay. “That’s just the way the Kearney’s do it. If you decide you are doing something, then they all decide to do it with you.”
Organizers introduced St. John’s Hall of Fame Coach Lou Carnesecca, who donated his trademark “ugly” sweater to be auctioned off during the evening.
“It’s so refreshing to see young people giving of themselves in this way. And, with that type of desire and determination we’re going to beat this thing [cancer] some day,” said Carnesecca, as he introduced survivors to walk the first lap of the Relay.
Once it got underway, hundreds of St. John’s students walked, ran and danced around the Carnesecca Arena throughout the night. Each of the 75 teams that participated had to have at least one person on the track throughout the night, so other teammates had time to play games and relays in between turns.
Organizers said the 750 participants raised $45,000 for ACS - and the Kearney Clan was the second-best fundraiser after bringing in $3,305. A sorority, Lambda Kappa Sigma, raised the most money - $3,378.
“We had hoped for 300 participants and I’m still stunned at the turnout,” said Dr. Kathryn Hutchinson, Relay for Life Advisor and Executive Director of St. John’s University’s Student Wellness Department. Hutchinson organized the event with the help of student Co-Chairs Abby Furness and Pedro Gomez, an Executive Student Planning Board and a host of sponsors.