Merokeans walk in Relay for Life

More than 300 people united against cancer at Clubhouse Road Park in Merrick on Sept. 26 from 5 to 11 p.m., raising $42,000 for cancer research at the Bellmore/Merrick Relay for Life, said Paul Gruol, director of special events for American Cancer Society Foundation and a Merrick resident.

In what Gruol described as "a very touching" event centered around survivorship and commemoration, more than 21 teams walked to raise funds and more than 350 candles were lit, including several spelling out the word "hope.'" Gruol extended special thanks to event chairwoman Hildy Teplitz, her daughter Julie, and state Sen. Charles Fuschillo, without whom he said the event could not have achieved such success.