For more than a decade, Paula Pipitone has served as a senior administrative assistant and executive assistant at companies in New York City. She currently serves as an assistant to a major firm’s senior vice president, handling scheduling, travel, and other important details. Committed to public service outside of her work, Paula Pipitone has participated in fundraising runs and walks for both brain and breast cancer research.

The American Cancer Society is one of the leading nonprofits dedicated to funding lifesaving cancer research. One of the major fundraising efforts ACS promotes each year is Relay for Life, an all-night walk that honors cancer survivors, loved ones lost to cancer, and those continuing to fight against the disease. Participants in the event form teams and alternate walking throughout the night, usually at a track. Through the event, teams solicit donations for each mile walked, or set amounts, to help raise money for vital cancer research.

In addition to the walking, the teams construct their own campsites in the relay area. These sites usually have activities going on throughout the evening such as games and food is typically offered. Teams have an overall fundraising goal, and monies raised through these efforts, as well as the walk, are all tallied toward that goal. To learn more about Relay for Life, visit cancer.org/involved/fundraise/relay-for-life.html.