Relay for Life event for cancer research to be held Saturday, April 25 from 2-10 p.m. at the Hannan Complex in Meraux; Sheriff Pohlmann and others took part in fund-raiser for it at a Chalmette bar March 21

Several St. Bernard current and former public officials served up drinks as guest bartenders at Wimpy’s in Chalmette on March 21 to raise money for the Relay for Life benefit to fight cancer being held April 25 from 2-10 p.m. at the Hannan Complex in Meraux. From left are Clerk of Court Randy Nunez, District Attorney Perry Nicosia, Assessor Jaylynn Bergeron Turner, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Wimpy’s owner Lori Cantrell and former Parish Councilman Mike Ginart. The guests worked with bartender Erin Taranto, shown at right.

Sheriff James Pohlmann gets a drink for 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, on Saturday, April 25 from 2-10 p.m. the Relay for Life event will be held at the Hannan Complex in Meraux. Numerous teams of walkers will come together to remember lost loved ones, celebrate survivors of cancer, increase cancer awareness and unite the community in the fight against the illness.

Some 16 teams from St. Bernard are scheduled to participate, as well as teams in numerous communities across the country. Teams can register by going to relayforlife.org/st.bernard.

A host of guest bartenders including St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, Clerk of Court Randy Nunez, District Attorney Perry Nicosia, Assessor Jaylynn Bergeron Turner and former Parish Councilman Mike Ginart served up drinks at Wimpy’s on East Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. They worked with bartender Erin Taranto.

The site was offered by owner Lori Cantrell, who has been holding the event several years. The event has been “a fun way to raise money to fight cancer,’’ Cantrell said.

Proceeds from the night went to Team Randy Nunez in the Relay for Life. Nunez is a cancer survivor and has had a team in the event several years.

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 several billion since its inception.