Relay for Life of Riverview in Oakmont races past fundraising goal

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This year's Relay for Life of Riverview in Oakmont ran past its fundraising goal, and donations are still being counted.

The annual event to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society took place at Riverside Park May 20.

There were at least a dozen teams at the event, including those led by cancer survivors, churches, dentists and the Riverview High School cross country team.

The fundraising goal was $87,000. The total was $96,632 as of late June 7.

Donations are collected this season through the end of August, and the 2024 relay fundraising season begins Sept. 1.

"I am extremely proud of everyone within Oakmont and surrounding areas who continue to play a part in coming together as a community to help put a stop to cancer," said Aly Weifenbaugh, American Cancer Society development manager.

"We crushed our event goal this year, and it was because of all of the hard work, time and dedication our committee, volunteers, team captains and participants have put into Relay For Life. Some of them have been participating for several years, some since the event first began in 2000, and they continue to dedicate their efforts because they know they are making a difference."

This year's relay had an ’80s theme, a takeoff on the popular Journey song called "Don't Stop Believing in a Cure."

Many teams had raffle baskets, food, beverages and games to help raise money. Team Malkamania named each of its baskets after ’80s-era wrestlers like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Bam Bam Bigelow.

At least one of the track team's members was running at all times from the opening lap at 10 a.m. to its final at 9 p.m. Current students and alumni participated, raising around $1,800 at $1 per lap.

"We have done this since the inception of Relay for Life," said coach Palma Ostrowski. "I wanted my team to be able to give back to the community. They are always such a big support to our program. Cancer has touched probably everyone on my team in some way, shape or form. It's a cause I think they all are passionate about, and we take advantage of the opportunity to use this as a day to start our summer conditioning for cross country."

Riverside Park was drenched in heavy rain in the morning of relay day, but the weather cleared up in the afternoon.

"I enjoyed the day," said Nancy "Moochie" Donatuci, cancer survivor and former relay organizer. "I didn't care that it rained. There seemed to be something going on all day, which was nice."

Donatuci raised nearly $23,000.

Her team, Riverview Relay Remembering Russ, was in memory of the late Russell Truby, longtime Oakmont-Verona Memorial Day Program master of ceremonies and past president of the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce, to name a few of his accomplishments. He died July 4 at age 67.

Always at the park

Relay for Life of Riverview has taken place in the Oakmont park for about 23 years. It used to be a 24-hour event, but has been scaled back little by little the past five or so years, including a pandemic cancellation in 2020.

Some fundraising efforts continued, but there was no major gathering at the park that year.

Weifenbaugh said they are grateful to have a stable location for the event.

"The support that we receive from the Oakmont parks crew is amazing," she said. "That's one of the reasons why we continue to come back here every single year. The parks crew is amazing to work with. They’re so generous in the way they offer the venue to us. They cut the grass for us. They line the chalk for us."

Organizers hope to build on Relay for Life's success in the coming years.

"One of the ways we can ensure this continued success is if are able to get new relay teams to participate next year," Weifenbaugh said. "We would love to see more local school groups, companies, businesses and organizations sign up a relay team, and help fundraise and follow in the footsteps on our current teams. The awful weather we were handed on the day of the event reminded us how important it is to fundraise all year round, rather than just at the event, itself."

More than a fundraiser

Relay is more than just a fundraiser. It is a chance for cancer survivors to meet, share their stories, form new bonds and strengthen existing ones.

It is those relationships that fuel Barbara Kutilek, 65, of Oakmont. She has been involved in Relay for Life since 2001 and chaired the event for several years.

"A lot of people have gone and done other things and are not involved anymore, but there's a handful of us that have been here from the very beginning," Kutilek said. "Whether or not people stayed five years, 10 years or all 20-some years, it has become a family. I call it my relay family, and they have rallied around me.

"When my mom (Anna Mae Waddell, 82) passed away from caner in 2013, she had been coming here with us. She was part of our team. Everybody knew her. People rallied around me when that happened, and when I was diagnosed (in 2015)."

Kutilek beat non-Hodgkin lymphoma eight years ago.

"I feel great," she said. "I am a very faithful person. ‘In complete remission’ is the term that my doctor would use. ‘I am cured’ is the term that I would use, of the cancer that I had. (It took) chemotherapy for five months and 22 radiaton treatments. I’m here, and all my checkups are great."

She runs her team, Circle of Friends, with her husband, Luke, 67. They plan on celebrating their 31st anniversary in October.

More than just relay

There was another event for American Cancer Society going on at the park last month, as Hockey For Life took place alongside Relay for Life.

The five-day tournament was organized by Riverview Dek Hockey, the nonprofit home of the Riverview Raptors youth teams,

Treasure Shannon Porter of Penn Hills said it featured 47 co-ed teams with about 22 players on each team.

Players’ ages ranged from 10 to 12. The Riverview Raptors took on Venom Blue from Banksville May 20.

Porter's son, Dominic, 11, played on Riverview's team. Riverview won 4-2.

"The tournament's been very good," Porter said. "We started this tournament in 2015. Two of the family members of Riverview had cancer, so we did a tournament to benefit them. Every year after that, we partnered with Relay to host our tournament.

"It is very important. When kids come to compete at Riverview, they are not just competing for that championship banner. They are competing for a cure."

They met their goal and raised at least $6,500.

Those who want to track Relay for Life of Riverview's progress can do so at relayforlife.org/pariverview.

Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, [email protected] or via Twitter .

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