BH Schools Help Raise $95,000 to Fight Cancer

The weekend’s raised almost $95,000—more than twice what the event raised last year—to fight cancer, according to relay volunteer Jeromy Meyer.

Hundreds of residents and several city officials participated in the 24-hour walkathon at El Rodeo School. Relay for Life events, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, are held each year all over the country.

Strong support from two Beverly Hills schools was central to this year's fundraising success, and Patch would like to congratulate the many parents, teachers, students and administrators from  and  who participated in the Relay. Both schools led an unprecedented cancer awareness effort for students in the last week, and each school raised close to $10,000.

Team Horace Mann was led by parent Susan Kimura, while Team Sienna/Beverly Vista was led by Michele Kalt, whose seven-year old daughter Sienna Wolfe is fighting cancer.

Key support came from the Beverly Hills Fire Department, which provided dinner for participants, and the local Starbucks, which provided lunch, drinks and snacks.

A special concert was provided by The Tokens, a historic band populated by local natives. Beverly Hills residents Phil Margo, Mitch Margo and Noah Margo are part of the band, as is Mike Johnson. The band is best known for its first big hit The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Councilman Julian Gold, a cancer survivor, helped open the relay by participating in the survivor’s walk Saturday morning. Mayor Barry Brucker was spotted in the afternoon, and Board of Education Vice President Brian Goldberg camped overnight with his family.

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