GILROY
– Relay for Life organizers are looking for people who can spend
24 hours to help raise more than $120,000 to fight cancer.
GILROY – Relay for Life organizers are looking for people who can spend 24 hours to help raise more than $120,000 to fight cancer.
The Relay, which features teams of walkers that keep at least one member walking during the 24-hour event, is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and raises awareness of the deadly disease, honors those who have battled it, and raises money to find treatments and cures.
Although Gilroy’s Relay won’t begin until June 21, Gilroy Relay for Life committee members are busy planning the community’s second Relay with extended hours and a new location at the Ranch site of Christmas Hill Park.
“We moved it because there was no room to grow and expand at Gilroy High School,” said Ingrid Dick, events manager for the American Cancer Society.
This will also be the first time Gilroy will host the relay for 24 hours. The Gilroy Relay was a 16-hour event last year. Dick said expanding the event will allow Gilroy’s Relay to receive national recognition from the American Cancer Society.
The public is encouraged to participate in the relay by either joining a team of 15 or being a team captain.
“The Relay is important because we participate for the future generations with the hope that our children and grandchildren will not have to face this,” said Gabriel Nino, event chairman for Gilroy’s Relay.
Twenty-eight teams participated in Gilroy’s Relay last year, but organizers hope 50 teams will participate this year. Each team member is responsible for getting sponsorship in their community.
“The 24 hours is symbolic of the 24-hour-a-day struggle that a cancer patients deal with,” Dick said.
The opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. will begin with the traditional survivors’ lap. The Relay is festive in nature, and the committee encourages teams to bring tents and create camps to help create the fun atmosphere. Local bands including “Five Minutes to Freedom,” and “Energizer,” will perform.
Nino says this year, not only will teams be walking, but they will be able to dance from 7 to 9 p.m.
“We want to freshen things up a bit and add a little twist,” said Dick.
Luminaria bags with candles will light the walkways Saturday night to create a path of hope. The luminaria ceremony – from 9 to 11 p.m. – will honor survivors and remember those who have lost their lives to the disease. Relay organizers request a $10 donation to display a name on one of the bags.
“Also new to this year’s ceremony is a slide show on the stage featuring pictures of family and friends, in their memory,” Nino said.
For the rest of the night teams can enjoy casino party games and karaoke. Mama Mia’s and Dutchman’s Pizza are donating food. In addition, a community barbecue will be held so participants can prepare their own food.
The Gilroy teams raised $84,000 last year. The Gilroy Relay’s proceeds were part of more than $17.2 million raised by the entire Relay for Life organization last year. Fifty-three California cancer research institutions received some of the Relay proceeds.
According to the American Cancer Society, 150 people a day will die of cancer this year, while 15 million Californians will be diagnosed with the disease this year. In addition to cancer research, the ACS will use the money to develop community-based educational programs about cancer prevention.
For more information or to participate in Gilroy’s Relay for Life, visit www.cancer.org or call Gabriel Nino at 891-7897.
