Community members united in the fight against cancer will share
stories, laughs, tears and hope as they raise money and celebrate
the Sixth Annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in San
Benito County beginning this evening at 5 p.m.
Community members united in the fight against cancer will share stories, laughs, tears and hope as they raise money and celebrate the Sixth Annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in San Benito County beginning this evening at 5 p.m.
Jeana Arnold, chairwoman of the event, wants to encourage the public to come out to Andy Hardin Field at San Benito High School, even if they’re not signed up to participate. That’s how most people learn and get involved with Relay for Life, she said.
“A lot of people come out for the first time to see what it’s all about, and when they watch the survivor lap and the Luminaria Ceremony, they become inspired and want to participate the following year,” she said. “A lot of people get the misconception that you have to be part of a business to participate, but that’s not true,” she said. “No matter who you are, you can participate. There is a place for everyone at Relay.”
Opening ceremonies for the 24-hour event will begin with a prayer, a poem and the releasing of dozens of doves.
A survivor lap will follow the opening ceremonies where a group of local cancer survivors are recognized by walking the first lap together to begin the fund-raiser.
Once the sun goes down and walkers have spent a few hours trekking around the track, people who are struggling to overcome cancer and those who have succumbed to the disease will be honored during the Luminaria Ceremony. During the ceremony, the lights are turned off and the entire field is pitch black, except for the candlelight coming from the luminaria bags.
Arnold said those who haven’t been to Relay for Life should come and experience this ceremony to understand the overwhelming emotional experience the event can evoke.
“It’s an amazing sight,” she said. “The lights on the field go completely black, and you’re just surrounded by thousands of these luminaries that represent loved ones.”
Aside from the somber moments, Relay for Life has a schedule of non-stop fun in order to keep its walkers entertained. A stage with music, karaoke and other entertainment will be jamming, and, during the early morning hours, committee member Krista Holstrom has something planned to keep walkers alert and having fun.
“We have what are called themed laps,” she said. “We have collected different things for people to wear, like one lap is a glow in the dark necklace lap, and another is sunglasses lap. They’re just ways of keeping people entertained because it can get pretty exhausting out there.”
Walking the track this year will be 55 teams. The number of people participating is close to last year’s total, but Arnold said, there are more new teams at the event this year than ever before, and some of the veteran teams have seen a huge increase in numbers.
“Hazel Hawkins Hospital has 40 people participating this year,” she said. “They only had six last year, so that’s quite a jump.”
Relay for Life Info
-The relay will begin tonight at 5 p.m., and wrap up with the closing ceremonies at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
– 55 teams made up of businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, other organizations and friends and families will participate.
– Last year, the Relay for Life beat its goal of $150,000. This year they’ve set the goal at $175,000 and they’ve already raised $102,416.
– Proceeds from the fund-raiser go toward helping cancer patients locally in San Benito County.
– The Luminaria Ceremony includes 2,200 luminaries, which represent those who have lost the battle with cancer, and those who are continuing to fight it.
