Afternoon tea brews interest in Relay for Life cancer benefit

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

FORTY-FORT – “Who would ever think that a bad disease would make such good friends,” said Mary Ann Meeker, a volunteer from the American Cancer Society. She was one of about 100 one hundred volunteers, friends and family members who participated in an afternoon tea fundraiser held at Sugar’s Tearoom in on Saturday afternoon.

They sat and talked and enjoyed eclectic teas and treats all as a way to continue the fight against cancer. They were given special hats to wear and enjoyed a four course tea which included scones, sandwiches and sorbet adorned with purple garnishes and edible flowers.







Carol Marino, event organizer, said the tea will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Wyoming Valley scheduled for June 11 at King’s College Fields in Wilkes-Barre Township. She hoped about $1,000 would be raised by the end of the day.

Twelve members from the “Star Survivors” relay team networked to gather the participants for the event, Marino said.

“It’s a great event because this many people stepped forward to give their support,” Marino said.
Bridget Flannery said the tea was better than a typical fundraiser where people are trying to sell things. “It’s a unique way to bring people together. Women like to do this,” she added.

Flannery said cancer survivors develop a bond from their mutual battle against the disease. “We talk about our stories, how we got through them. It helps us cope,” she said.

The purpose of the tea, she stressed, remains helping patients and survivors find a cure. “We’re giving back,’ she said.

Meeker said she and the other members of the relay team brought their friends and neighbors but laughed that for the most part their husbands stayed home.

“It’s a girls’ afternoon,” she said.

Twelve members from the “Star Survivors” relay team networked to gather the participants for the event, Marino said.

“It’s a great event because this many people stepped forward to give their support,” Marino said.
Bridget Flannery said the tea was better than a typical fundraiser where people are trying to sell things. “It’s a unique way to bring people together. Women like to do this,” she added.

Flannery said cancer survivors develop a bond from their mutual battle against the disease. “We talk about our stories, how we got through them. It helps us cope,” she said.

The purpose of the tea, she stressed, remains helping patients and survivors find a cure. “We’re giving back,’ she said.

Meeker said she and the other members of the relay team brought their friends and neighbors but laughed that for the most part their husbands stayed home.

“It’s a girls’ afternoon,” she said.

The teas started 10 years ago, Marino said. She expects to continue to organize them into the future.

The Relay for Life has gone on for 26 years, she said. The relay is a celebration of survivors joined by their families to demonstrate the love and support they provided along their journey, she said.

Relay participants fight back by forming teams and fundraising to help the American Cancer Society’s mission dedicated to eliminating cancer, she said.

Marino gave credit to the owners of Sugar’s Tearoom for their generosity in hosting the event. “They turned away a lot of regular customers today because we filled the place,” Marino said.