Saratoga News
News
Relay for Life is a celebration to honor those struck by cancer
By Shannon Burkey
For some it's a celebration of survival; for others it's the celebration of a life no longer here. But for all, there is no doubt that Relay for Life is all about celebrating.
Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society-sponsored event, brings together teams of people for an overnight relay to honor those who have battled or are still battling cancer.
"This is a 24-hour celebration," Chris Van Hoy said. "This is a way to honor cancer survivors, and it is in memory of people who have not been able to fight the disease and win."
Since the relay began in 1985, it has raised more than a billion dollars. Saratoga has hosted a relay for only three years but last year raised $60,000. Event organizers hope this year's event will match, if not exceed, that amount.
"We're small but mighty," said Van Hoy, the chairwoman of two of the Saratoga event's committees. "We know the Saratoga community is going to reach out and help because there are very few people cancer hasn't touched."
Van Hoy was inspired to get involved after losing several friends and family members to cancer, and she hopes others will follow her example and help in some way.
"I don't want people to be scared away thinking they have to get a team together. There are lots of ways to participate," she said.
Chairwoman Marilyn Marchetti said she became involved in the event when it began in Saratoga three years ago. Her mother died of ovarian cancer so she put a team together to walk in the relay.
"We walk in my mom's name," Marchetti said. "Just about everybody knows someone who is fighting cancer or has lost their life to cancer. By walking we are honoring the people who have had long battles with cancer and lost, and we are honoring the survivors. We're letting them know we understand the struggles they are going through."
During the 24-hour relay period, at least one person from each team will walk the track at Redwood Middle School. At dusk, hundreds of luminaria are lighted in memory of people who have lost their lives to the disease and in the name of those still fighting. The luminaria will light the way as team members walk throughout the night.
"Cancer never sleeps, that's why we walk for 24 hours. We do this to honor the fight that people have to put on 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Van Hoy said.
The most important part of the event, Marchetti said, is to celebrate the survivors and to create awareness about early detection that could save a life. But even taking the steps around the track is a step in the right direction.
"Just by the fact we're walking, we're fighting cancer. One of the top three ways to fight cancer is exercise," Marchetti said.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The money raised during the relays all around the country will go toward cancer research, education and services.
"The bottom line is cancer needs to be gone," Van Hoy said. "Relay is about raising money for the wonderful programs the American Cancer Society has out there to help make that happen."
Relay for Life of Saratoga will take place from June 23 at 10 a.m. to June 24 at 10 a.m. at Redwood Middle School. For more information or to register a team, visit www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/saratoga. The committee organizing the Saratoga Relay for Life is looking for volunteers. It meets the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Curves, 14456 Big Basin Way.
