Mission Viejo Fights Cancer in the 2015 Relay For Life.

The annual American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Mission Viejo was held at Saddleback College on June 6, 2015. Relay For Life is non-competitive event where teams composed of family, friends, coworkers and the community take turns walking and running the track to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer.

The weekend started off with opening ceremonies featuring Hero of Hope, Zoe Sanchez Richardson who has Stage 4 terminal metastatic cancer.

She told the crowd she was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 27 years old and she had two small kids in elementary school. Treatment was successful, but at 37 years old she worried that the cancer had returned. Just as she was preparing to get married she learned she would need a double mastectomy. She postponed the surgery until after the wedding.

At that time, “I gave my husband an out.” He said, “Shut up. I am never going to tell you again. I am here with you for all of it.”

After she had surgery, Richardson became depressed and said she was embarrassed to go out; she no longer felt like a woman. As women we are defined by our hair and breasts. Her husband left her, but they are back together. He hopes other husbands learn from his mistakes.

Richardson said, “It has been a year of roller coasters-- going up and down. I just want to hear my son’s name called when he becomes an anesthesiologist.”

She hopes by speaking to others it will make a difference in someone’s life. Three things she wants you to remember: always laugh, always think and do your own research and always cry.

The Survivor and Caregiver laps followed, led by Mission Viejo High School Drumline. Throughout the day relayers walked thousands of laps of hope, remembrance and celebration.

Forty teams raised more than $116,000 and enjoyed a block, party-like atmosphere with games, entertainment, food and much more. Some of the games included an Auto Show competition of homemade cars that are used to create awareness for the “Road to Recovery” program. The winner was the “Grand Marshall Cadillac.”

The day was packed with entertainment, a kid’s zone sponsored by the Microsoft Store and Home Depot; both of Mission Viejo, free movies, Zumba and more.

Several local bands took the stage to rock the relayers. One of them was Hunting Waldo who has performed at Relay for more than 10 years not only in Mission Viejo, but in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Orange, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

It hasn’t been all rock and roll. Band members have lost family to back, brain, lung cancer and leukemia. “All of this cancer has had a horrible impact on each of us,” said Siposs, lead guitarist and vocalist. Currently, the drummer’s wife is fighting for her life against late stage colon cancer.

At dusk, the luminaria ceremony where candles are lit in honor of loved ones lost and in support of those who are fighting cancer took place. Casta del Sol Chorale led by Bill Chapman and Coordinator, Sara Henniger sang “You Never Walk Alone.” Six of the 21 singers are cancer survivors, according to Jerry Silverstein, Co-Chair Luminaria.

Following the ceremony there was a lap around the track led by bagpiper, Steven Ricotta to Amazing Grace. Sunday morning concluded with a fight back ceremony.

The event was a huge success because of the many volunteers, sponsors, entertainers, musicians and relayers. Cancer never sleeps and we will fight to end this disease that terrorizes each of us in some way or another. Fundraising continues until August 31, 2015.

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