American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life

Woodbridge Township School District’s business administrator Dennis DeMarino leverages more than two decades of experience in procurement and finance to oversee a $200 million budget. In his spare time, Dennis DeMarino enjoys participating in charitable events, such as Relay For Life.

Relay For Life is a signature American Cancer Society fundraiser hosted in thousands of communities worldwide. The team-based relay event, which has a history dating back to 1985, garners in excess of $400 million annually. Funds support research initiatives aimed at eradicating cancer, the transportation service Road To Recovery, and Hope Lodge, among other programs.

The event welcomes teams of walkers to camp overnight at a local track. Throughout the night, team members take turns walking the track to build awareness about cancer and gain donations. Teams are encouraged to ask not only family and friends for contributions in support of the mission but also others to match their personal donations. For a more personal experience, the relay promotes walking in honor of a cancer survivor.                            

Characteristics of a Good Youth Coach

A talented procurement and sourcing manager, Dennis DeMarino has focused much of his work within the public sector and most recently served as the business administrator and board secretary for the Woodbridge Township School District. Outside of work, Dennis DeMarino is an active member of his community and has been coaching youth football for several years.

Youth coaches play a major role in whether kids learn to love the sport they are playing and, as with most things, there are bad and good youth coaches. Following are a few characteristics of a good youth coach:

- Patient: working with children, especially younger ones who are unfamiliar with a sport, is a challenge for most individuals, but good youth coaches have the patience and desire to calmly help their team understand their directions. Good coaches turn mistakes into learning experiences instead of being negative, and help kids learn and enjoy what they are playing.

- Flexible: every child has different abilities and talents. A good coach recognizes this and accommodates the differences in the members of their team. Instead of forcing them into positions and roles that may not compliment them, good youth coaches give all the children on the team a chance to grow their personal talents.

- Communicates well: a key part of teaching children is effectively communicating with them. Depending on team members' ages, certain technical terms may be confusing and difficult to understand, so coaches must get the same information across in a simpler way. Additionally, good coaches can communicate to both the group and individual members.

Supporting Patients - The Relay for Life

From 1996 to 2015, Dennis DeMarino of Cranford, New Jersey, oversaw the budget of the Woodbridge Township School District, comprised of 24 schools. Active in his community, Dennis DeMarino participates each year in the Relay for Life.

With over 4 million annual participants across more than 20 countries worldwide, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life has been raising money to fight cancer since 1985. In the 30 years since its inception, the Relay for Life has raised almost $5 billion. Although each local, overnight event has some variation, they all include a beginning Fight Back ceremony, a Survivors Lap to recognize the people who have overcome cancer and their caregivers, and a Luminaria Ceremony, which recognizes the people who lost their lives to the disease and those who are still fighting. The funds raised support five different programs, including research, accommodations, and help with recovery.

One program, Hope Lodge, provides free accommodations for cancer patients and their families. There are 31 Hope Lodges across the United States, each with private rooms and social areas in a homey environment. Another support program, Reach to Recovery, is focused on helping breast cancer patients connect with survivors who have been through the same experience. Staffed by trained volunteers, the program does not offer medical advice, but rather a chance to address the personal feelings and concerns of each individual patient.