11th annual Gilroy ‘Relay for Life’ brings out cancer survivors
and supporters
Gilroy – Alyssa Beck stood at the back of the crowd as she held “Auntie Bren’s” hand.
Alyssa wore a smile on her face and an over-sized purple T-shirt that dropped down to her ankles like a dress. She walked along with the rest of the group as they all passed under a balloon sign that spelled out “HOPE.” Alyssa is 4 years old. She is also a cancer survivor.
At the 11th annual Gilroy “Relay for Life” event Saturday, 65 registered cancer survivors showed up with family and friends at Christmas Hill Park to show support for each other and those out there who are going through what some survivors call “hell.” The 24-hour event raised money from donations and sales of different products that all went to the American Cancer Society. Many non-registered survivors participated, said Lynn Noto, team recruiter.
“Last year I wasn’t able to make it. And this year is special because now I’ve conquered it,” said Debbi Sanchez, chairperson of the “Relay for Life” event. She was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and had to have an operation each year. She was supposed to have been the chair last year but ended up in the hospital the night before.
She now feels healthy and feels like she finally has her life back.
“I’m in control. It’s not in control. I just want everyone to know that there is hope,” she said.
Although beating cancer is something that each survivor had in common, they all had a different story.
Sanchez was diagnosed around the same time as some family members and friends of hers. She said the first year that she was diagnosed was hell and brought a rift between her and her daughter. Things have changed now but she said she will never have that time back.
“I’m here … ” She paused as she became choked up and tears began to well up in her eyes. “I’m here because I don’t want my daughter to go through what I had to go through.
“Cancer is something that comes into your life and disrupts it. It steals time with your family.”
The day was meant to raise funds to help find a cure for cancer. Last year, more than $170,000 was raised for the ACS by Gilroy’s “Relay for Life.” Sanchez said they hoped to reach that amount again, but did not think it would happen since there was about 40 less survivors participating this year.
As of 8pm on Saturday the event had raised $117,000, said Alma Niño, the Gilroy “Relay for Life” co-chairperson.
The event started at 10am Saturday and ended 24 hours later. The event kicked off with those who beat cancer taking a “Survivor Lap.” Tents were set up for those who needed some rest during the all day and night event.
Loretta Carrillo, a breast cancer survivor, read a poem entitled, “What Cancer Can Do.” What cancer can do, she said, is make you realize that this could be the end of your life. It makes you re-examine your priorities and value life more than many others, she said.
Carrillo found the breast cancer through self-examination. But when she went to a doctor she was told that she did not have cancer. But she knew something was wrong and when she went for a second opinion a year later she was told that she had been right all along.
“My message is, as women we know our bodies, and if you suspect you have it you need to insist on an exam,” she said.
Cancer does not only effect the person who has it but also those who are close to that person, Carrillo said.
“Life is pretty fragile and then you realize how short life is and you have to look at your priorities,” Carrillo’s husband, Luis, said. “Family, in the end, is all you have.”
Dawn Perry understands that. Sitting in a wheelchair being pushed by her granddaughter, she explained that she has lung cancer and that her husband died years ago from cancer.
“Just be a fighter,” said the 61-year-old about how those with cancer should be. “Try to get a good support group and have a good attitude.”
Debbi Sanchez’s husband, Mike, may have summed up the whole day in the very beginning of the event.
“One day we’re going to beat this thing,” he said through a microphone to the two hundred estimated people in the crowd. “So one day we can come here just for fun.”
