Mother-Son Duo On Mission Against Cancer

Last year, young Thomas Cerniglia in memory of his grandmother. He was 6 at the time.

This year, now age 7, the student is making good on that promise.

Thomas and mother Sharin Cerniglia, of Team Scooby Doo, recently held a fundraiser called "Create for a Cure," where local artists taught guests how to paint a wine glass and make a decoupage box. The event raised over $300 contributing to the $3 billion that the American Cancer Society raises world-wide every year.

“My 7-year-old son is an amazing child that decided after last year's relay event that we should have our own team. We hope to inspire others to join us in the fight against cancer,” said Sharin Cerniglia.

Sharin and Thomas plan to hold a Chinese auction, beverage and bake sale with games to help fundraise at the 2012 Relay For Life event in Palm Harbor.

The mother-son duo has participated in Relay For Life for the past four years. Sharin’s mother (Thomas’ grandmother) fought and won her battle with lung cancer, but ultimately succumbed to uterine cancer. The pair made it their mission and passion to fight against this disease at the upcoming Relay for Life (in Palm Harbor) on April 13. 

Relay for Life events raise money for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society so the money raised goes toward helping cancer patients in the community. 

Relay for Life of Dunedin is at 6 p.m. on May 4 at . So far, there are 20 teams and 218 participants, according to the Relay for Life of Dunedin Facebook page.

Relay for Life of Palm Harbor is at 6 p.m. on April 13 at Palm Harbor University High School.

• Make a donation or join Sharin & Thomas' relay team
• Watch a video of Thomas at the 2011 Relay For Life
• Find out more information about Relay For Life in Palm Harbor