Kay Carlson, 63, began participating in the Relay for Life to
raise money for cancer research five years ago, something to do
with a local sorority.
Gilroy – Kay Carlson, 63, began participating in the Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research five years ago, something to do with a local sorority.
But things got personal last year when the retired headresser’s husband, Wayne, was diagnosed with kidney cancer and she walked for the local American Cancer Society relay again. On June 23, Carlson will walk once more in memory of her husband who died at the age of 63 in February after fighting the disease until it spread to his bones.
It doesn’t have to get personal before you too sign on to a team and relay for 24 hours at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy. Almost 50 teams have signed up, so far raising more than $20,000. Participants come from a variety of places including government and businesses – the Gilroy Police Department and local Fortino Winery have teams – and residents such as Kerrey and Madelyn Perham’s Heaven Sent team, which are leading fundraisers with more than $4,000.
All funds and donations go to the ACS research, which can have an immediate impact. In the case of Carlson, the two drugs used to fight her husband’s kidney cancer were not available two years ago and, she said, maybe two years from now further research could lead to newer drugs that could save patients in his condition.
“I walk just to remind people to keep fighting for cancer cures,” Carlson. “We’ve come so far already, we hope it can come further but you have to make people aware somehow.”
During the relay, the goal is to keep at least one member of the team on the track at all times. People can also purchase for $10 a bag with a lit candle in it that lines the track at night.
“They’ve got names on them and they are either in memory or in honor,” Carlson said. “It’s wonderful to see the ones that, of course, have made it and the ones that haven’t.”
The event is also meant to be a “chance to celebrate survivors” with a heap of fun events such as a relay “idol” talent show, cross dressing, tug of war, car show, face painting, T-shirt creating contest, music and food, said the relay’s entertainment chairperson Mike Sanchez.
To make donations visit www.cancer.org or to learn more about Relay For Life of Gilroy visit www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/gilroy or call (408) 688-0117.
Perry Shirley is an intern who attends San Francisco State University. He can be reached at (408) 842-9404 or at ps******@**********rs.com.
