_________________ BALDWIN ________________
HERALD Bike safety and fun at the park
Parkinson’s 5K at Baldwin Park
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Vol. 33 No. 24
JUNE 11 - 17, 2026
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A new path to recovery and lasting sobriety ability, daily check ins, and motivation throughout the experience. The two men’s motivation in For those struggling with substance abuse and other combatting addiction is deeply addictions, help is always personal. Each of them faced around the corner. While hot- spent time inside the federal lines, support groups and per- prison system for drug-related sonal counseling are available, offenses and spent years learntwo experts in the field are pio- ing how to undo the damage through research, mentorship neering a new, modern method. Frantz Michel of Baldwin programs and teaching various and Spencer Cook of East classes. When the two men were released, they Meadow are partsought to take these ners in the addicideas farther and tion treatment plathelp people stay out form SoberIn40, a of trouble and digital prog ram avoid being behind that offers special, bars altogether. automatically taiCook, the foundlored courses and er of SoberIn40, challenges to help SPENcER cooK people in need get Founder of SoberIn40 was arrested in a multi-agency operathrough tough tion in 2014. Initialtimes. This month, they announced ly facing a 20-year prison sena new initiative to take the tence, Cook was commuted effort farther than ever before: under the Second Chance Act anyone who can achieve 40 days for a reduced sentence. In 2020, of sobriety from alcohol or after six and a half years of other substances can receive a incarceration and a year under $200 reward and a complimen- house arrest, he dedicated his tary dinner for two at a restau- new lease on life to becoming rant partnered with SoberIn40. sober. “I’m going to do everything The challenge officially launched May 21 and will con- in life that is completely oppotinue through May 21, 2027. site from what I’m used to and Pa r t i c i p a n t s w i l l u s e t h e what feels normal,” he recalled SoberIn40 platform for accountContinued on page 15
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo
jdalessandro@liherald.com
Courtesy Marie Burns
Marie Burns, center, celebrated the completion of her chemotherapy treatment with family and friends after ringing the bell at her treatment center on Jan. 15. Burns, a longtime Relay for Life participant, will be the survivor speaker at this year’s relay in Baldwin on Saturday.
A different walk for Marie Burns By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
For 16 years, Marie Burns walked Baldwin’s Relay for Life track in support of cancer patients and survivors. On Saturday, the longtime participant will return in a different role, serving as the event’s survivor speaker after battling Stage 3 ovarian and peritoneal cancer. After spending years raising money and advocating for cancer research, Burns, 59, hopes her own experience will encourage residents to prioritize their health and support the cause she has championed for more than a decade. Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event, raises money for cancer research, patient services and advocacy while celebrating survivors and honoring those lost to the disease. As of press time, Baldwin’s nine participating teams had raised more than $22,500. This year’s relay will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. in Baldwin Park. Burns first got involved in 2009 when her younger sister, Geanine, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39. Looking for a way to help, she joined the Baldwin event.
“I felt like it kind of gave me a purpose, something I could do to help my sister,” Burns said. “I just felt like, for her, it gave her a voice.” That desire to make a difference led Burns to a group of Baldwin mothers who were building a Relay for Life team of their own. She joined Renee Salmon and Jennifer Scarduzio on the team, which was called Because We Care, reflecting its mission to support families affected by cancer and to raise money for research. Years later, both Scarduzio and Burns would face cancer diagnoses of their own. Today, the team remains one of Baldwin’s top Relay for Life fundraisers, ranking second among the event’s nine teams. Over the years, Burns became increasingly involved in the event, serving on the planning committee and later as an event chair while helping organize fundraisers throughout the year. One of her favorite traditions is the annual luminaria ceremony, when candlelit bags line the Baldwin Park track in honor of loved ones affected by the disease. “That’s always a very emotional time,” Burns said. “You get to see truly how many people, even Continued on page 7
I
needed to understand my disease.