American Cancer Society event exceeds ’09 totals
The Hollister Relay For Life has a new day and start time this
year that will allow for a full 24-hour walk, and local teams
already have exceeded fundraising efforts from 2009.
”
It was actually a recommendation of the American Cancer
Society,
”
said Kim Vera, a co-chair of the event.
”
It is supposed to be a true 24 hours.
”
In past years, the event started Friday afternoon, with an
opening ceremony at 5 p.m. and ended Saturday at noon. This year
the event will start July 31 at 10 a.m. and end Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.,
at the San Benito High School football stadium. Participating teams
agree to have at least one team member walking on the track for the
24-hour event.
This year, 62 teams are registered and they raised $60,000 by
July 22. The teams can raise more money at the event with games and
other fundraisers. They also have until Aug. 15 to continue their
efforts.
American Cancer Society event exceeds ’09 totals
The Hollister Relay For Life has a new day and start time this year that will allow for a full 24-hour walk, and local teams already have exceeded fundraising efforts from 2009.
“It was actually a recommendation of the American Cancer Society,” said Kim Vera, a co-chair of the event. “It is supposed to be a true 24 hours.”
In past years, the event started Friday afternoon, with an opening ceremony at 5 p.m. and ended Saturday at noon. This year the event will start July 31 at 10 a.m. and end Aug. 1 at 10 a.m., at the San Benito High School football stadium. Participating teams agree to have at least one team member walking on the track for the 24-hour event.
This year, 62 teams are registered and they raised $60,000 by July 22. The teams can raise more money at the event with games and other fundraisers. They also have until Aug. 15 to continue their efforts.
“It gives more time to have more entertainment and more fundraising, so we are actually really excited about it,” Vera said. “I think it’s beneficial for everyone. Friday when it started at 5, many people were just getting off work and just getting started with opening ceremonies.”
This year there will be a main stage and a kids’ stage. The entertainment starts after the opening ceremony and continues until midnight on Saturday. It includes bands, karaoke, a dance party and more.
“There will be tons of great entertainment to come out and bring the family even if you don’t have a team involved – to come out and support the community,” Vera said. “Absolutely anybody can come by.”
She added that the teams have already exceeded fundraising efforts from 2009.
“So many people have been affected and touched by cancer,” she said. “It’s not really one of those things people say ‘no’ to. They may not be able to give as much as they did last year, but people are always willing to give a little.”
She said committee members are hoping to have higher attendance at the event since it is on the weekend.
The theme for the 2010 Relay For Life is “Happy Birthday,” which Vera says comes from an American Cancer Society promotion to find a cure so people can celebrate more birthdays.
“All the teams will be decorated in birthday themes and the opening ceremony will be a birthday theme as well,” Vera said.
She also said the survivor lap, in which cancer survivors are invited to take one lap around the track, will have a special touch this year. Diana Magana, a high school student who was the beneficiary of San Benito High School’s benefit ball this year and had cancer, will do the lap with her friends. The students will lead the crowd in the “Dancing for Diana,” dance they created while fundraising during the school year.
In past years, Vera said 150 survivors have joined in the lap and people are welcome to register to participate at the event.
“We would love to have as many survivors as possible out there,” she said.
Survivors get a free T-shirt, a lunch reception at noon on Saturday and raffle prizes.
“They are our invited guests, so it’s all complimentary,” Vera said.
Vera has been attending the Relay For Life for 10 years, and has been event co-chair for the last two. She has also served as team recruiting chair. She has lost family members to cancer and has friends who have been touched by it.
“We are working for a world where our kids don’t have cancer,” she said. “It’s one of those things that touches too many…It’s a disease you are so powerless against and being involved in Relay actually makes you feel like you are involved and fighting back against it.”
Hollister Relay For Life
July 31-Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Andy Hardin Stadium, San Benito High School
