BEYOND the BOOKS
Relay for Life drew 55 teams to the King Street campus for an all-night event in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of those lost.
Taking Steps Toward Saving Lives In June, Brunswick’s Cosby Field
participants and raising more than
became home to Relay for Life, an
$105,000. Two members of the
overnight, organized fundraising
Brunswick community, rising 8th
event in which communities around
grader Matthew Jacobson and
the world honor cancer survivors
rising 9th grader William Nash,
and remember loved ones lost to
raised a combined and remarkable
the disease.
$31,000 toward that total. Matt, who donated to the cause
Greenwich is just one of 5,200 communities in 20 countries that
the monetary gifts he received at his
unite to raise funds for cancer
Bar Mitzvah, was given the honor of
research and awareness. More
addressing the crowd. “My grandfather had brain
than 4 million people participate each year. Brunswick has been home to
cancer. The treatment he received allowed him to live much longer
Greenwich’s Relay For Life for five
than expected,” Matt recalled.
out of the last six years.
“Finding a cure for the disease is
Middle School math teacher
something I care deeply about. “I talked about how crucial
Kevin Landesman has been central to the event since 2008. “My
cancer treatments were to saving
brother passed away from cancer in
lives and how we should all strive
2008,” he said. “So, I’ve participated
to do more research to find a cure,”
every year since.”
he said. Although, you only turn 13 once,
He served as co-chair with his sister-in-law in 2011 and 2012 and
Matt is passionate about Relay For
as auction chair, with his wife,
Life and plans to participate
Dana, in 2013.
every year. “I know I can rally my friends to
This year’s event was a resounding success, drawing 550
42
participate, too,” he said.
times of Brunswick • Summer 2013
B
As of press time, a total of 521 participants had raised more than $105,000 for cancer research.