American Cancer Society – Relay for Life

Relay for Life is forming Teams to battle cancer at 2019 Event

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Tri-Valley will be held on Saturday, June 22-23 at Granada High School in Livermore. The event will last 24 hours from Saturday 9am through Sunday 9am.

Founded by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Washington in 1985, the Relay For Life movement unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have been touched by cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action for lifesaving change. Symbolizing the battle waged around the clock by those facing cancer, the event last up to 24 hours and empowers communities to take a stand against cancer. This is the 2^nd year that has combined the relays for Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon and Danville, last year’s event was at Dublin High School and raised $130,000 to fight cancer.

Teams are now being formed to fight cancer. On the day of the event, teams camp overnight and team members relay by walking around the track for 24 hours, signifying that the fight against cancer never sleeps. Companies, Schools, Service Clubs, Churches and other groups are encouraged to form a team. Fundraising activities include Luminaria bags to honor cancer survivors and victims. Those who have relayed in the past are encouraged to participate again.

Highlight of the event is the Survivor Lap, which occurs right after the Opening Ceremony at 9am on Saturday morning. All cancer survivors are invited to walk the first lap to the cheers of the crowd around the track. During the second lap, caregivers join the survivors, then for the next 24 hours the public is invited to walk around the track in honor of a loved one who has battled cancer.

Survivors join in the survivor lap, register in advance at www.RelayForLife.org/TriValleyCA , a donation is not necessary to participate. During the day, various booths set up by teams with food and other items to educate the community about various cancer issues and provide support for families battling cancer. There will be games for kids as well as special activities for cancer survivors, such as lunch and gifts.

In the evening, the impressive Luminaria ceremony once again honors those who have battled cancer, as lighted luminaria bags circle the track, each one in honor of someone who has either survived, is fighting or lost the battle against cancer.

In addition to the support of the community, Relay For Life of Tri-Valley is also supported by many local businesses and organizations. Last year’s sponsors include: Chevron, Fremont Bank, Stanford Health Care - ValleyCare, UNCLE Credit Union, ATI Architects and Engineers, Kaiser Permanente, State Fund Insurance, and 96.5 KOIT.

Together, we can beat our biggest rival. Join or donate to the Relay For Life of Tri-Valley. Visit www.RelayForLife.org/TriValleyCA

Co-Chairmen of this year’s event are: Donna Foster, Larry Coy and Natalia Custodio.

If you are a cancer survivor, have lost a loved one to cancer, currently fighting the battle, or has been touched by cancer in anyway, please join in the fight against cancer by joining or forming a team to battle cancer, contact Anh Nguyen, (408) 646-9293, or email: anh.nguyen@cancer.org.