Relay for Life event for cancer research to be held overnight April 6-7 in Torres Park, Chalmette; Sheriff Pohlmann and others took part in fund-raiser for one team in memory of a St. Bernard cancer victim

With the Relay for Life event being held April 6-7 in Torres Park, one of the teams involved held a fundraiser at Wimpy’s tavern in Chalmette recently for Tim’s Team, in memory of Timothy Pritchard Sr. of Chalmette who died last April after a 4-year struggle with cancer. Guest bartenders for the event were, from left, Sheriff James Pohlmann, state District Judge Perry Nicosia, attorney and former Parish Council member Mike Ginart, who is in a wig; Denise Pritchard, widow of Timothy Pritchard; Wimpy’s owner Lori Cantrell and Jeanne Juneau, attorney for parish government.

Sheriff Pohlmann talks to a customer.

Relay For Life is the main volunteer-driven fundraising event of the American Cancer Society in which about 4 million Americans take part in some 5,000 communities each year.

In St. Bernard Parish, from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., Saturday April 6 through Sunday morning April 7, numerous teams of walkers will come together at Torres Park in Chalmette for Relay for Life to remember lost loved ones, celebrate survivors of cancer, increase cancer awareness and unite a community in the fight against the illness.

Kevin Hoffman of Arabi, Relay for Life event chairman for the Torres Park event, is encouraging people to form teams and come out for the night. “It draws attention to the fight being made against cancer.’’ It is the second time since Hurricane Katrina the event is being held in St. Bernard.

Teams can register by going to www.relayforlife.org/stbernard or by calling (504) 219-2293. There are currently nearly 30 teams registered for the Torres Park event.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann took part in a fund-raiser held recently to benefit the Cancer Society, which was in memory of Timothy E. Pritchard Sr. of Chalmette, who died in April 2012 after a 4-year fight with cancer.

Pritchard’s wife, Denise Pritchard, who is principal at N.P. Trist Middle School in Meraux, is captain of a team that will take part in Relay for Life.

Called Tim’s Team, Denise Pritchard said she saw the fund-raising event for the Cancer Society as a fitting way to honor the memory of her husband, especially since the April 6-7 weekend is the one-year anniversary of his death.

Tim’s Team has raised nearly $10,000 so far.

A fundraiser for Tim’s Team, which included a raffle and guest bartenders was held at Wimpy’s tavern on Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, with the site offered by owner Lori Cantrell, a friend of Tim Pritchard.

Proceeds from the night went to Tim’s Team for cancer research.

Guest bartenders included Sheriff Pohlmann, state District Judge Perry Nicosia, parish government attorney Jeanne Juneau and attorney Mike Ginart, a former Parish Council member.

Originating in the United States in 1985, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. They are held in local community venues such as a park or track, on campus at universities, or military bases, with teams taking part in walking around a track.

It is estimated that Relay For Life events have raised more than $3 billion since its inception.