Community Corner
The American Cancer Society Celebrates 30 Years of Relay For Life
A Salute to Dr. Gordy Klatt, founding father of Relay For Life.
We often think that one person can’t make a difference, but that was not true for Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Washington.
In May 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt decided to personally raise money to fight cancer by doing something he loved- running marathons. Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours circling the track at Butler Stadium at the University of Puget Sound. Klatt ran in memory of a young man who died from cancer and he wanted to increase the income to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer. He did; he raised more than $27,000.
Throughout the day and night friends paid to run or walk 30 minutes with him on the more than 83 grueling miles. During that time, he envisioned how others could join and raise money to fight cancer. Later he put together a committee to plan the first team relay, the City of Destiny Classic 24-hour Run Against Cancer.
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Since then, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life has become a worldwide event raising more than $5 billion to fight cancer. Today there are more than 6,000 Relays in the United States and in 22 countries.
In March 2012, Dr. Klatt was diagnosed with stomach cancer. While he battled his own fight, he continued to Relay. At the age of 71 on August 3, 2014, Dr. Gordy Klatt died from congestive heart failure.
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Join us in the American Cancer Society’s 30th Relay For Life and celebrate one man, one dream- a salute to Dr.Gordy Katt. Relay for Life of Mission Viejo will be held at Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Pkwy, MV, CA 92692 on Sat., June 6 from 9 am to Sunday, June 7 at 9 am.
Dr. Klatt will forever be in our hearts, in our lives and always with us at Relay For Life. Whether you run, walk or crawl always have a dream.
From the author…. Because of Dr. Klatt’s vision, our country and the world are fighting against cancer with a vengeance. His vision and continued dedication was a titanic gift to the world that will go on.
For more information please contact Margot Ferron 949/309-1235 or email gomargotgo@aol.com. Join now in Mission Viejo.
