Annual cancer fundraiser starts Friday Aug. 3
More than two decades ago a doctor from Tacoma, Wash., ran 83
miles around a track over the course of 24 hours to raise money for
the American Cancer Society. Now 20 years later, thousands of
people across the country walk, jog, and run to show their support
for local and national cancer survivors in what is known as the
Relay for Life.
Annual cancer fundraiser starts Friday Aug. 3

More than two decades ago a doctor from Tacoma, Wash., ran 83 miles around a track over the course of 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Now 20 years later, thousands of people across the country walk, jog, and run to show their support for local and national cancer survivors in what is known as the Relay for Life.

August 3 marks Hollister’s ninth annual Relay for Life, where individuals and teams raise money to find a cure for cancer. Young and old gather on the track of San Benito High School not for a sprint, but for a marathon. For many the marathon has been going on for years now, while others are just starting to run. For 60-year-old Geri Johnson, a Hollister city clerk, her marathon started when she was diagnosed with breast cancer five and half years ago. Now she is in remission and said she is completely cured,

She serves as the chair sponsorship and an ambassador for the American Cancer Society. Johnson has been working with the ACS for 20 years now and was one of the people involved in bringing Relay for Life to Hollister.

When talking to someone at ACS, Johnson asked what the community in Hollister could do. The response was bring Relay for Life to Hollister.

“It’s one of the best community events ever,” Johnson said. “We could not do it without the business and people in the community.”

The 24-hour event represents hope for the men and women who have been diagnosed with cancer or have lost a loved one to the disease. Many times those diagnosed with cancer are referred to as victims, but people represented at the event are empowered. Many fight for a cure and many more survive through a diagnosis, but all are bound by desire for change.

No one knows that better than 51- year-old Carol Tortorelli, a survivor of breast cancer. Tortorelli has been involved with Relay for Life for the past three years and this marks her fourth year, and first as co chair of the event.

“That is one of the reason I am so involved – because I am lucky,” Tortorelli said. “I’m here to show people there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Cancer isn’t the death sentence it used to be…it’s all [changed] through research. Early detection, getting our screenings is key. Mine was discovered through a yearly mammogram.”

This year the theme for the event is “Around the world in 80 laps.” Each team picked a different country and has decorated their campsites to represent the country’s culture. Not many people know that Relay for Life is a worldwide event, Tortorelli said. Also for the first time, each team will pick a dessert from their respective country and the teams will participate in a Midnight baker’s cafe.

The most memorable part of the event for Johnson and Tortorelli is the luminaries ceremony. They described it as both amazing, and gut wrenching. The ceremony takes place at 9 p.m. and it is a dedication to those who lost the battle against cancer.

For the ceremony, people donate in exchange for small bags the size of lunch bags to honor a survivor, or the memory of a loved one. The bags are decorated and after dark, a tea candle is lit in each bag. When lit at dusk, the bags placed in the bleachers spell out “hope.” The ceremony gives time for personal reflection and a chance for family members to pay their respects to lost loved ones.

People from all walks of life participate in the event and nationwide people of all ages and backgrounds walk around tracks and parks. This year the community of Hollister has helped raise more than $13,000 for ACS.

“The community is extremely generous and supportive of the event,” Tortorelli said. “Business owners and the general public all are responsive and supportive.”

More than 51 local businesses have donated their time, resources and funds, including companies such as Milgard Windows and many others. Starbucks also has contributed to Relay for Life, offering customers the opportunity to donate money in exchange for having their name and the name of a loved one on a flyer hanging up in the store. As of Aug. 1, more than 50 teams had registered for the event and 1,000 people are expected to come out. Anyone interested in coming out is welcome.

For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org and click on the link for the Hollister Relay for Life site.

Around the world in 80 laps

DATE: August 3rd- 4th

TIME: Opening ceremonies start at 5:30 p.m and go until 12 p.m. on Saturday

LOCATION: San Benito High school Track: 1220 Monterey St.,

Hollister, CA 92629

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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