It’s the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Mission Viejo’s 20th Anniversary! – Margot Ferron

In May 1985, Dr. Gordon Klatt from Washington walked and ran for 24 hours to raise more than $25,000 to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer.  The next year, he was joined by 340 supporters.  Since then, Relay For Life has become a worldwide event raising more than $4 billion to fight cancer.

Nine years later, Mission Viejo joined the fight with other communities in the Saddleback Valley Relay For Life held at Saddleback College.  In 1994, Linda Lindholm, currently Mayor for Laguna Niguel was the first Co-Event Chair. 

Every year in Mission Viejo since 1994, an energetic, enthusiastic group of volunteers unite in their fight against cancer.    They rally, plan parties to celebrate survivors and remember loved ones that lost their battles.   All while raising money to fund programs to support neighbors, friends and loved ones through their fight with cancer.

This year Relay for Life/ Mission Viejo celebrates its 20th anniversary.  You’re invited to join us in our year-long celebration, as we proudly look back on a legacy of fighting cancer.

 If you were involved in our Relay in any years since 1994, we want to hear your Relay experiences, memories and stories.  Join in the celebration by sharing a personal anniversary message or your photos.  If you are a 20-year cancer survivor we would love to hear from you, too.

We want this year’s Relay to be a reunion to celebrate survivors and remember our loved ones we have tragically lost.

Relay For Life a unique way for us to create a community enriched by a tapestry of people who want to know their neighbors and share their love by helping one another.  If you are battling cancer, remember you are not alone in your fight against cancer. Your community is here to support you.

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 or you want to share your Relay stories, please call Margot Ferron at 949/309-1235, gomargotgo@aol.com. 

Thanks for all the memories.   We hope to see you at one of our many pre-events!