Abington Heights community teams up against cancer in 2017 Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society

S. ABINGTON TWP. — Tents dotted the field inside the track at Abington Heights High School on Saturday, May 20, as students and community members mingled in groups, tossed around a football and flying disc and enjoyed each other’s company, all while maintaining a continuous flow of walkers around the track. This was the scene at the school’s annual Relay for Life, an awareness event and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

The survivors’ lap begins, led by cancer survivors along with Abington Heights Relay for Life co-chairs Matt Franchetti and Heather Mitchell. The weekend-long event, held on the high school track, began at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20 and ended at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 21. It served as an awareness event and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_ABJ-Relay-1.jpg.optimal.jpgThe survivors’ lap begins, led by cancer survivors along with Abington Heights Relay for Life co-chairs Matt Franchetti and Heather Mitchell. The weekend-long event, held on the high school track, began at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20 and ended at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 21. It served as an awareness event and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Abington Heights Relay for Life participants walk in Saturday evening’s survivors’ lap during the weekend event at the high school.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_ABJ-Relay-2.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights Relay for Life participants walk in Saturday evening’s survivors’ lap during the weekend event at the high school. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Abington Heights Relay for Life event co-chairs Matt Franchetti and Heather Mitchell give brief remarks before the survivors’ lap Saturday evening, May 20.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_ABJ-Relay-3.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights Relay for Life event co-chairs Matt Franchetti and Heather Mitchell give brief remarks before the survivors’ lap Saturday evening, May 20. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Twin brothers Jeffrey and Bryan Barlow, in their hand-pained team T-shirts, sit on the track with other participants in the Abington Heights Relay for Life, listening to a motivational speaker before the start of the survivors’ lap Saturday evening, May 20.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_ABJ-Relay-4.jpg.optimal.jpgTwin brothers Jeffrey and Bryan Barlow, in their hand-pained team T-shirts, sit on the track with other participants in the Abington Heights Relay for Life, listening to a motivational speaker before the start of the survivors’ lap Saturday evening, May 20. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Chilling in the snack tent during the Abington Heights Relay for Life Saturday, May 20, from left, Brennan Tates, Rachel Klein and Grace Munley.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_ABJ-Relay-5.jpg.optimal.jpgChilling in the snack tent during the Abington Heights Relay for Life Saturday, May 20, from left, Brennan Tates, Rachel Klein and Grace Munley. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

From left, Allie Nealon, Bristol Grenfell, Lauren Berry and Lauren Koczwara brighten up the track with a little music as they walk in the Abington Heights Relay for Life Saturday evening, May 20.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_ABJ-Relay-6.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Allie Nealon, Bristol Grenfell, Lauren Berry and Lauren Koczwara brighten up the track with a little music as they walk in the Abington Heights Relay for Life Saturday evening, May 20. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal