It’s time for walkers and runners to lace up, stretch out and get ready to join the180 communities across California in the fight against cancer.
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life begins Saturday, July 29, at 10 a.m. and does not stop for a breather until Sunday, July 30, at the same time.
For 24 hours, walkers, runners and their families will participate in and support the relay at Point Loma Nazarene University’s campus track, 3900 Lomaland Drive. The relay and evening luminaria ceremony aim to raise awareness about cancer.
The 12-person relay teams consist of Point Loma and Ocean Beach residents, their families and friends who unite in support of the battle against cancer by gathering donations for their participation.
The relay is part of a full day’s worth of activities and entertainment off the track for those who are not running or walking. All are welcome to attend and offer moral support to the participants.
“If you ask anyone if they’ve had a friend or a family member or a coworker or mentor that had cancer, everyone would say ‘yes’. It’s one of those diseases that doesn’t discriminate “¦ it touches everybody,” said Kate Schlosser, volunteer event chair who helped coordinate Relay for Life.
The fundraiser helps the American Cancer Society to support local programs and services for cancer patients and their families, such as Reach to Recovery, a peer-to-peer support program for women with breast cancer. The money raised also helps to fund research and education as part of continuing efforts to teach the public how to reduce their risk of developing the disease.
At sundown on Saturday, the track will be illuminated by candles in a luminaria ceremony. Cancer survivors will lap around the track with glowing luminarias as the names of survivors and those lost to the disease are read aloud.
“It celebrates those who have survived and shows we’re on our way to finding a cure.” Schlosser said.
The luminaries can be purchased at the university or by calling (619) 682 7452. To make a donation or participate, visit www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/ptlomaoceanbeach.