Judi Cestaro, a cancer survivor, is the director of Auxiliary Enrollment Services at Farmingdale State College. This year she will help FSC host its sixth Relay for Life on June 6-7. Since 1995, Ms. Cestaro has been a figure of strength and commitment to the college and the local community.

Relay for Life celebrates survivorship while honoring those who have lost their battle against cancer and is the one event held on campus she most cherishes.

Q: As a cancer survivor yourself, how important is Relay for you?

A: I have a very personal attachment to Relay because it honors everyone and raises awareness in the community. All the funds raised at Relay benefit ACS. Many tests have been developed that save lives just through funding research. I didn't have any symptoms of cancer. I went to the doctor for a test and I found out I had cancer. Yearly mammography, PAP Smears, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are all early detection tests that save lives. Being aware and raising awareness by telling people about early detection testing may help prevent or fight cancer. I always want to know right away, because the earlier you know the more options you have.

Q: Why is Relay such a special event to you?

A: Relay for Life, on June 6-7 this year, is different from any other ACS activity because it is a 12-hour overnight event. The theme of Relay is that there is no finish line until we find a cure. All the survivors wear purple shirts because purple is the color of survivorship and the color of Relay. At my first Relay I wore purple and many were the surprised reactions of people I knew. "I didn't know you were a survivor," they said. We were now a family sharing our stories and giving support and strength to one another.

Q: What motivated you to become one of the organizers of this event?

A: After working on oncology for 18 years, I pursued a career change at FSC. I was the Director of Community Relation when ACS proposed of having the event here. I was their campus contact person but did not know what it was going to be about initially; soon I became very hooked. I remember the first year. After months of preparation we had everything set up on FSC's Great Lawn. Suddenly it started raining. We moved the event inside the gym and everyone was helping setting out tables and mapping out the campus site. Candles were not allowed inside the gym and Ann McDermott, the Relay's first chairperson, worked to place thousands of little twinkle lights inside the luminaries' bags. Although we thought the event was going to be ruined, once it started we realized that nothing could have taken away from this great event. Not being inside. Not the weather. Not the wind factor. It is people coming together and celebrating everything that Relay means.

Q: What is the mission of Relay for Life, also known as one of the most important nationwide events for the American Cancer Society (ACS)?

A: Relay's mission is to honor everyone who has fought a good fight. Everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by cancer and at Relay a lot of people get united for the same cause. I am a cancer survivor, but I don't really think about it much. When you are at Relay you realize that you have become part of a very special community. Everybody keeps each other strong and participants get inspiration from survivors.

Q: For the sixth year in a row, you are helping FSC represent the LI community at Relay. Why is FSC hosting the event?

A: Relay is held in many cities and towns across the nation. Initially our location, our Great Lawn, and facilities motivated the American Cancer Society to choose our college to host the race. The college soon became very committed to, and involved with, Relay for Life.

Q: What happens during a Relay for Life Race?

A: Relay is a lot of celebration. We encourage participants to form teams of eight or 15 and each team tries to keep a member on the track at all the times. The first lap is for survivors and the second lap is for caregivers. Dance, deejays, comedians, games, contests, raffles, selling items and fundraising are only a few of the many activities we support at Relay. However, the event goes from being festive to becoming solemn during the luminary ceremony. Those who have lost their battle against cancer are honored during the sundown ceremony, a time of remembrance that could be very moving. Just being able to make a luminary bag for someone you lost is meaningful.

Q: FSC raises a lot of money for ACS, but how important is fundraising for Relay for Life? What kind of services do the contributions support?

A: With Relay, all the money raised funds ACS and research to help develop new early detection tests. In addition, ACS provides many services to cancer patients and their families, such as transportation in and out of treatment and support summer camps for children. ACS funds research to result in better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. More than 50 teams participated to our 2007 Relay and the event raised over $92,000. Over $500,000 has been raised in the six years FSC hosted Relay for Life.

Q: How many participants does Relay attract each year?

A: Over 1,000 people participate at Relay each year. Community involvement is very strong at FSC. Farmingdale Student Government cosponsors and promotes the event on campus. Many more have worked very hard to make Relay happen. They are the organizers from the Physical Plant department, such as Fred Harnson, Mark Orlich, Arturo Perez, and Brett Southard, a FSC Student Athlete who now works here. Credit is also given to Peter Thomas, responsible for Media Services. However, the driving forces behind Farmingdale's first Relay teams were Fran Barton and Cele Reilly.

Q: How can students or members of the community get involved and what kind of help or contributions can they make?

A: Students or anyone else who wish to get involved may contact me to receive additional information. I also encourage students and community members to show their support by participating in the Volunteer Fairs we are holding on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Roosevelt Hall. More than 70 Long Island based not-for-profit organizations will be present. Attendees will learn about the needs of the Long Island community and what kind of difference their help could make. The volunteer fair is sponsored by OSI pharmaceutical and this year we will accept blood and hair donations.

More than three million Americans participate in more than 4,800 Relay for Life events nationwide and tens of thousands participate in events across the world. Everyone can make at difference at Relay. For more information contact Judi Cestaro at 631-420-2733 or visit www.relayforlife.org.