Relay For Life Preparing to Kick Off

This article courtesy the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society’s Indio chapter will host the 11th annual 24-hour “Relay For Life” starting at 9 a.m. March 2 to 9 a.m. March 3 at the Empire Polo Club.

The event feature walkers and runners walking the track around the clock in the battle against cancer in honor of friends and loved ones, society officials wrote.

Organizers are looking for businesses and community teams and cancer survivors are needed to participate in the inspirational “Survivor’s Lap,” during the Opening Ceremony, and on Saturday night.
 
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s version of a relay, but with a new twist, organizers wrote in a news release. The event is a family-oriented team event where participants can walk or run around the track, relay-style, for 24 hours.

Participants camp out around the track and when they aren’t taking their turn on the track, they take part in fun activities with family, neighbors, and co-workers, organizers wrote.  

“We want more teams to help in the battle against cancer,” said Erika Esquivel, volunteer chair for the Relay For Life of Indio is quoted in the news release. “We want all kinds of teams with people of all ages to join in the fun and join in the fight against cancer.  Businesses, families, churches, service clubs…anyone can help, young and old alike.  It’s easier than you might expect, and more important than you can imagine!”

Local cancer survivors are honored during the “Opening Lap," where participants receive a special medal in celebration of their survivorship.  

“There will be activities for attendees of all ages,” said Esquivel.  “There will be cancer prevention, healthy lifestyle and nutrition education available so that we can all learn how to take charge of our health.  And, of course, we will have music, dance, lots of food, and the very moving Luminaria Ceremony in the evening.”

“We are looking for planning committee members, team captains, cancer survivors and their families, and for local businesses to help us with donations and underwriting,” said Esquivel.

Teams from companies and organizations collect donations and can win prizes for their efforts.  A team consists of ten or more members, and can be made up of neighbors, family members, co-workers, church friends, students and youth, or any combination of cancer fighters.  Each team member is asked to collect $100 in donations to the American Cancer Society, organizers wrote.

“Relay for Life is as much an awareness raiser about progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser to fight cancer,” said Esquivel.  “Many of the participants will be people who have been cured of cancer themselves.  Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made not only in cancer cure rates, but in the quality of life following cancer treatment.”

“The funds raised will enable us to expand our services to cancer patients and their families, to offer more educational programs that will reduce people’s risk of getting cancer, and to expand cancer research programs,” added Esquivel.

Registration forms and information about the Relay for Life are available from the American Cancer Society at (760) 340-1597, or by calling Jose Landeros at the American Cancer Society at (760) 996-7771 .   For information on cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, visit the Society at www.cancer.org.