The Knights of Columbus
Forms a Coalition Crusaders Against Cancer
Knights of Columbus Council 794 of Lindenhurst spearheads the formation of a coalition of Suffolk County Knights of
Columbus Councils called Crusaders Against
Cancer to help raise money to be used by the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, help those who
have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back.
Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 794 has been actively involved in this rewarding community-based
charitable event since 2003, the first year that it was held in Lindenhurst. In
each year our level or participation and level of donation have steadily increased. This
past year we sponsored many of the events for the evening such as, karaoke, hair and make-up makeovers, line dancing etc….
We also sponsor a 50’s Sock Hop dance every April to help us raise funds for the Relay for Life. In 2007 the Lindenhurst Relay for Life raised $ 87,000.00, of which $15,200.00
was raised by the Knights of Columbus OLPH Council 794, Ladies Auxiliary, Squires and Squirettes.
On May 17th and 18th 2008, the Crusaders Against Cancer will take part in the 6th Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life
in Lindenhurst New York. The groups that have joined the
coalition thus far are:
Crusaders Against Cancer
· Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 794 (Lindenhurst),
· Ladies Auxiliary of Council 794,
· Squires of Knute Rockne Circle 82
· Squirettes of Mary Circlette 15
· Our Lady of Fatima 4th Degree
Assembly 716
· Farmingdale Council 2204 (Farmingdale),
· St. Martins Council 2489 (Amityville),
· Our Lady of the Assumption Council 9267 (Copiague),
· Our Lady of Grace Council 11968 (West Babylon)
· Our Lady of Perpetual Help Youth Ministries
· St. Elizabeth Council 5753 (Melville)
· Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Council 7479 (Dix
Hills)
Why do the Knights of Columbus
participate in the Relay for Life? For
many of us this is personal, be it for ourselves, a family member, or a friend. For
each and every one of the individuals that have participated, there is a reason. As
with people everywhere, all of our lives have been touched by cancer. We know
people who have passed away from cancer, be it family, Brother Knights, members of our Ladies Auxiliary, each of us has been
touched. We are also blessed to have cancer survivors among us. The Relay for Life gives us the opportunity to come together, remember those we have lost and to celebrate
with those who have won the battle against cancer.
But we have also discovered that we do this event for other reasons. While
each of us has our personal reasons we also take part because, as members of the Knights of Columbus it allows us to practice
the three main principles of our Order; Charity, Unity and Fraternity.
- In Charity, we volunteer
our time, as well as raise money; to support a cause, the American Cancer Society.
- In Unity, we are
able to come together as one, gaining strength from each other, while also giving strength to others.
- In Fraternity, we
gather together as a group for a common purpose.
The Relay for Life allows us to practice and live the principles of the Knights of Columbus with our families and friends.
The Relay for Life allows The Knights of Columbus and each of their friends and family members to come together as
one to show our support in the fight against cancer. The Relay for Life allows us to show the community that the Knights of
Columbus and each of their organizations are active and taking a proactive part in an event which is supported by so many
other organizations and groups. This event allows us to show once again that we are here for our neighbors.
For more information regarding the 2008 Lindenhurst “Relay for Life” or how to join the Crusaders Against Cancer coalition, please contact Michael Hearney
Deputy Grand Knight at 631-888-5579 or Eugene Gardell Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus OLPH Council 794 at 631-884-0209.
Eugene L. Gardell
Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus
OLPH Council 794
