Thousands to 'Relay for Life' This Weekend in Beaumont

Thousands of people are expected to head out to the Beaumont Sports Park this Saturday to take part in the 24-hour American Cancer Society fundraiser, Relay for Life.

"Relay is a time to celebrate the lives of those who've battled cancer, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and commit to fighting back against the disease," a video message from Relay for Life states.

The event, now in its ninth year in the San Gorgonio Pass, starts at 9 a.m. May 12, and goes through 9 a.m. the next day.  

For 24 hours straight, the park will be filled with members of 39 teams who are raising money to fight cancer-- and more notably in attendance, will be cancer survivors.  Organizers say that they expect thousands of people to show up during the course of the day, nearly 200 of whom will be survivors.  

And contrary to traditional believe that a person is not a "survivor" until they are cancer free, "we consider that from the day of diagnosis, that they're surviving that disease," organizer Mayda Cox told Banning-Beaumont Patch.

Cox says they hope to raise $105,000 this year, to bring in slightly more than last year's $98,000.  So far, they've already received $50,000.

The goal of the event is to have people on the track at the sports park every minute of every hour that Relay for Life is going on.  Even if you're not on a team, you're encouraged to head out to the event to support the cancer survivors.

Here are a few highlights to keep in mind: 

• 9 a.m.-- event kick-off ceremony takes place.
• 10 a.m.-- cancer survivor's lap.  This kicks off the entire event, in which cancer survivors walk the track alongside their caregivers.
• 7 p.m.-- caregivers VIP reception.
• Approx. 8 p.m. (when the sun goes down)-- Luminaria ceremony.  Hundreds of candles will light the track 

The Beaumont Sports Park is located on the south-east corner of Beaumont Ave and Brookside Ave.

If you would like to donate to our local Relay for Life, you can do so here.