On Sunday, March 16, members of the communities of Jericho, Lawrence, Massapequa, Port Washington and Wantagh kicked off the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life season in Nassau County. More than 100 interested participants joined together at Nassau Community College to learn more about the growing phenomenon - Relay for Life.

Those in attendance heard from teenagers Anne Bollerman of Port Washington and Rachel Pastarnack of Jericho who each lost their moms to cancer and met at Relay for Life and formed an emotional bond and friendship. Past participants, cancer survivors and community leaders, including Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs also addressed the crowd. The group also had the opportunity to participate in a "mock Relay For Life," complete with a "survivor's victory lap," "mini luminaria ceremony," and live entertainment...courtesy of Nassau's talented youth from the communities involved in Relay this year. The overnight Relay for Life events in Nassau County will take place the following dates and locations:

May 17-18 - First Annual Jericho Relay for Life event - Jericho High School

May 31-June 1 - First Annual Wantagh Relay for Life event - Wantagh High School

June 7-8 - First Annual Lawrence Relay for Life event - Lawrence H.S.

June 14-15 - Third Annual Massapequa Relay for Life event - Massapequa H.S.

June 21-22 - Second Annual Port Washington Relay for Life event - Schreiber H.S.