BY SUSAN CLARK
Taking over the reins as captain of the Relay for Life “Digging For A Cure” team is an act of love and an honor for Linnea Hilchey, 14, of Bedford.
When Linnea gathers her team for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life walk on June 8 and 9 at Livingston Park in Manchester, she will carry on a family tradition of bringing hope to cancer patients and survivors.
Linnea looks to her grandmother, Thelma Cote of Bedford, for guidance as she attends captain meetings, makes sure all registration paperwork is in and motivates her teammates.
“Linnea’s been walking with me for about nine years,” said Cote, a *** cancer survivorwho served as team captain for the past five years. “These kids are just so involved with many things. They feel it’s a privilege.”
Linnea, a West High School freshman, also considers being the “Digging For A Cure” team captain an opportunity to lead others in the future.
“I want to start a Relay for Life at Bedford High School,” Linnea said, adding students need to fulfill 80 hours of community service over four years to graduate.
This year, Linnea and her sister, Jennifer Hilchey, 13, – who marks her third year walking – have recruited their friends, Molly Maznek, 14, and Kate Lovely, 12.
“I think it’s a great cause. Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer,” said Linnea.
Her motto is “Strive for better.”
Last year the team earned a bronze award for raising $3,300 for cancer research and, Linnea said, the goal is to exceed that amount by asking each team member to raise $100 each.
“I’m going to place that bronze plaque at our site,” she said proudly.
Her enthusiam seems contagious. At the team’s first meeting on April 25, teammate Skyler Pelletier, 8, of Manchester, made the first donation – money he had earned while sweeping floors at the Studio 61 hair salon where his mother works.
The young teammates are also looking forward to the hourly themes during the 18-hour walk – most involving wearing creative costumes, including Nursery Rhymes, Sports, Spirit of America, Toga, Crazy Hat and Harvest. There’s also “Grease,” where teams can dress up in 1950s garb, and Backwards.
“That’s when you dress backwards and attempt to walk the track backwards,” said Linnea.
But the most memorable of the young teammates who walked last year is the Survivors’ Lap.
“All survivors of cancer walk around the track. It’s an honor. Everyone watches them, then people can join in,” said Linnea.
Luminary Hour, which lights up the track at night, is also memorable. Teams create designs on paper bag luminaries in honor of a friend or loved one who has cancer, a survivor or in memory of someone who has lost their battle.
Last year, Linnea and Jennifer decorated 100 bags.
“You walk and see them all. It’s really cool,” said Linnea. “You say, ‘I made that one and people are using it.’”
It’s also an emotional hour for many walkers.
“It is so sad. I bawled last year,” said Molly.
Teams endured heavy rains last year, but that didn’t prevent walkers from having fun.
“The best part was walking at 3 a.m.,” said Kate.
In addition to Cote, the 11-member team also includes cancer survivors Louise Hart of Manchester, Larry Steele and June Craig.
Hart was diagnosed last year, and, after surgery and internal radiation treatments, is in remission.
“It’s wonderful to have this fun event to raise money for cancer at this local level,” said Hart, who will miss the walk to attend her granddaughter’s graduation in Hawaii.
Steele, Cote’s brother, had prostate cancer in 2002, and will take part in his second Relay for Life walk. Their brother, Edward, died of cancer in 1971.
Craig was diagnosed with *** cancer in 2005, and fought the illness with the support of family and friends.
The theme for the 2007 Relay for Life walk is “Paint Your Town Purple.” In addition to selling purple bows, teams also donate raffle items to help raise money. Last year, Jennifer and Molly each made blankets.
“I’ll make necklaces,” said Skyler. “I’ll get purple and white beads so us to wear and for raffling.”
The “Digging For A Cure” team will be selling purple bows at $5 each at Harvest Market on Route 101 in Bedford on Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Relay for Life of Greater Manchester takes place at Livingston Park, Daniel Webster Highway, Manchester, from 6 p.m. Friday, June 8, to noon on Saturday, June 9.
For more information about the Relay For Life walk, visit www.relayforlife.org or call Tricia Hanna at 471-4113. You may also send donations to American Cancer Society, 360 Route 101, Bldg. 8, Bedford, NH 03110.