Country-Themed Carnival Celebrates Those Affected By Cancer.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Mission Viejo celebrated 22 years of Relay, honored loved ones who are currently fighting cancer, survivors, plus saluted caregivers.

The celebration attracted more than 100 people who gathered under the big-top to eat, feast and enjoy an old-fashioned cake walk. They came in cowboy hats, boots, purple shirts and shoes.

The festive, carnival-themed event included food, entertainment, a photo booth, door prizes and guest speakers. It was held at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center and there was no charge to attend.

Through the ACS, Voice of Hope program, Paula Vigorito, Relay For Life, Menifee shared her family’s story of triumph and victory. Her daughter, Kelli, a cancer survivor does the same through the Hero of Hope program.

Kelli was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2007. “She had a mass the size of a man’s fist in her chest that surrounded her windpipe. The tumor actually doubled in size,” according to Paula. The battle and journey of fighting cancer was inspiring and courageous.

Paula stressed, “I used to wonder why it happened to my daughter. Now I know it happened so our family could be a voice, an ally and offer hope to others.” Team Kelli has raised more than $100,000, Kelli is a staff member of ACS and has gotten married to the boyfriend she met who was there for her when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Smells of popcorn filled the air as volunteers served up grilled chicken breasts, wing and thighs, chicken empanadas, chicken burritos and salads generously donated by Beach Hut Grill, Chick fil a, Chipotle, El Pollo Loco, Empanada Maker, Jersey Mike’s, Peppino’s and Santora’s Pizza & Sub-wings. Dinner was fit for kings and queens.

Later in the evening, “The Singing TV Guy,” Mike Chamberlin entertained with “You Are My Sunshine,” and “God Bless America” along with other show tunes and love songs. Chamberlin was a news and sports anchor in the Monterey, Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles markets before he retired, but his first love was always music. He was in the US Army and served in Viet Nam. He has been professionally entertaining audiences for almost 50 years. Check him out at www.singingtvguy.com.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Mission Viejo, is a 24-hour overnight event that will be held at Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Pkwy, MV, CA 92692 on Sat., June 4 at 9 am to Sun., June 5, 2016 at 9 am.

Please join us as our community continues to fight against cancer, create awareness, and raise money to turn that awareness into support for cancer victims, improved therapies and a cure.

For more information or to register for the event, go to www.mvrelay.org, www.facebook.com/mvrelay or twitter @mv_RelayForLife.

If you have any questions, please call Margot Ferron, Publicity Chair at 949/309-1235, gomargotgo@aol.com.