Binghamton team is top fund-raiser in local Relay for Life

Photo by Phil McFarland, Binghamton, N.Y.
Survivors lap - Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions employees Karol Pierson (left), Mark Ruminsky (middle), and Sandra McFarland hold the Relay for Life banner prior to the survivor's lap at the 16th annual Relay for Life of Greater Binghamton.

For the fourth consecutive year, a team of employees from Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions (STS) in Binghamton, N.Y., was the top fund-raiser at the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life.

The team raised more than $20,000 to support cancer research, education, advocacy and family and patient services. This was the eighth year employees from Binghamton have participated in the event.

"It's exciting to see how much our workforce can raise, since we have less then 200 people working here," said Program Support Specialist Sandy McFarland, who also is the team captain. "It's amazing that our team continues to be the top fund-raiser, especially since we go against companies and organizations much larger than us."

The 16th annual Relay for Life of Greater Binghamton took place Friday, June 20, through Saturday, June 21. About 30 of our employees, along with their families and friends, walked at the Mardi Gras-themed event.

Throughout the course of this year, our employees have been holding various fund-raisers in an attempt to raise money. Earlier this year, employees held a silent auction, a gift basket raffle, and a raffle for a television and gift certificates. Scott Watson, director of STS Rotary Wing and Ground Systems and Mike Jones, software engineer, even agreed to being "arrested," which ultimately led to about $3,000 in bail money being raised.

Additionally, McFarland and Senior Engineering Manager Gretchen Schlegel brought baked goods to coffee stations each Monday morning, raising more than $3,000 throughout the year.

One of three cancer survivors on the team, McFarland said she continues to be amazed by the amount of support given by her co-workers.

"Everyone is just so generous with their support and participation in the Relay for Life events," she said. "They share the belief that we can all make a difference in the fight against cancer."