Relay for Life raises awareness, money for cancer

Event brought in more than $114,000
The 12th annual Relay for Life that took place at San Benito
High School’s Andy Hardin Field last weekend had people stepping up
to help the awareness and prevention of cancer.
The relay, which was held for consecutive 24 hours, was
”
Happy Birthday
”
themed and brought the community together.
Kim Vera, the event co-chair along with Michel Horn, said
”
It was awesome [to have the relay in a full 24 hours]. I think
it worked out a lot better since it symbolizes that cancer doesn’t
sleep.
”
The relay, which started at 10 a.m. on Saturday, began with an
opening ceremony. Awards were given out to members of the community
who helped put the relay together and the Top Hatter’s were thanked
for helping with security. Then a special award called the Kathy
Ritter Award was awarded to San Benito High School student Diana
Maga
ña. The award is given out every year to a cancer survivor who
makes an impact on the community.
Event brought in more than $114,000

The 12th annual Relay for Life that took place at San Benito High School’s Andy Hardin Field last weekend had people stepping up to help the awareness and prevention of cancer.

The relay, which was held for consecutive 24 hours, was “Happy Birthday” themed and brought the community together.

Kim Vera, the event co-chair along with Michel Horn, said “It was awesome [to have the relay in a full 24 hours]. I think it worked out a lot better since it symbolizes that cancer doesn’t sleep.”

The relay, which started at 10 a.m. on Saturday, began with an opening ceremony. Awards were given out to members of the community who helped put the relay together and the Top Hatter’s were thanked for helping with security. Then a special award called the Kathy Ritter Award was awarded to San Benito High School student Diana Magaña. The award is given out every year to a cancer survivor who makes an impact on the community.

“We were really happy to give the award to her the award this year,” said Vera. “She has inspired many young people.” 

West Coast Dance Company preformed a short dance called “Survivor” and then the first lap of the relay began with the release of doves and Diana Magaña leading the cancer survivors.  Many people were impacted by the sight of the cancer survivors walking to help prevent further cancer victims.

“Cancer has touched my life in many different ways,” said Vera. “My mother-in-law died, and grandma died from it. Being a part of the committee and being involved makes me feel like I can make a difference. I am so glad that we were able to have such awesome community involvement.”

This year, there were 64 teams that signed up to be in the relay, which were eight more than last year. The event raised $114,000 through both fundraising and the relay, with money still coming in after the relay ended.

“We were able to exceed our goal this year,” said Vera, “and we even had more survivors out there this year. It gets better every year.”

The teams are made from individuals or businesses that represent a person or group of people who have or had cancer. Some of the local establishments that had teams there this year were: Hazel Hawkins Hospital, Ladd Lane Elementary, and Oasis for Women. There were also many local individuals that gathered to support their loved ones.

One team even came up with a catchy phrase that said, “Forget Team Edward and Team Jacob, it’s all about Team Nancy.”

At around 9 p.m., the luminaria ceremony began. The luminaria is a collection of bags that friends and family members of cancer survivors or cancer victims make and put lights into, in honor or in memory of that person.

“It represents ‘One Night, One Fight’,” said Vera. “It is a really powerful and moving ceremony.”

The commitment to this event inspired many others. Karli Thompson, a first-time relay visitor, said she enjoyed seeing all the people there supporting prevention of cancer.

“It’s really great that people get together to organize everything and put it on,” she said.

Vera thanked everyone who was involved with the relay.

      “There won’t be a finish line,” said Vera, “until we find a cure.”