> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Cancer survivor relaying her message By Daily Press staff - URL: https://www.smdp.com/cancer-survivor-relaying-her-message-by-daily-press-staff/ - Published: 2004-07-07T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T04:42:23.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Health, Santa Monica, #archive-import Later this month, Santa Monicans will rally together for 24 hours to battle cancer. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight team event that raises awareness of cancer in the community and raises money to fight the disease. The team event begins Saturday, July 24, at 9 a.m. and runs continuously until 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 25\. Leading up to the event, the Daily Press will highlight volunteers’ stories: Linda Lovett Age: 47 Residence: Torrance Title: Relay for Life Kid’s Camp Chairperson Torrance is my home right now and has been for the past 20 years. I am Linda Lovett, a young-at-heart woman, wife, mother and grandmother. Along with my many hats that I wear at home, I am a career woman. As a rarity in this day and age, my career began as a waitress and ended up at one aerospace company for the past 23 years. Formerly Hughes Aircraft, I work in human resources at Raytheon Company in Fullerton. My specialty is human resources information systems, with a little bit of compensation thrown in. I much prefer letting people know of their increases rather than laying them off due to downsizing. Three years ago, I discovered a lump in my left breast. Yes, I had breast cancer. I went through surgery fine and three weeks later, took a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico, with 13 close family and friends. Next, I went through 18 weeks (six sessions) of chemotherapy. Following that, I had seven weeks of radiation. All this while continuing to work. And guess what? I’m still here. I am a cancer survivor of almost three years. Since then, I’ve been on two other cruises — Hawaii and Alaska. There’s no better way to see the beauty of our world than from your own balcony on a cruise ship. This year though, I’m foregoing cruises for a jaunt to Ireland with 10 others for 10 days. Relay for Life came into my life by way of letter. One day, I received a letter from the American Cancer Society telling me about the Relay for Life. They had three choices for me to attend — one in Torrance, one in Beach Cities, and one in Lawndale. Well, the Lawndale one struck my fancy because I had graduated from the school where they were going to have it. So I signed up. Short story here. The Lawndale location didn’t come through and since I had gathered a team, we decided to stay with the same weekend and go on a “road trip” to Santa Monica. My friends, family, and I were hooked the minute we arrived at Santa Monica City College. The rubberized track was one of the good points, but the people and crew were like family instantaneously. I’ve never felt so strongly about belonging to something and working hard to make a difference. One of my first new friends was Vienna, who managed the Luminaria area. Her joyous spirit reached into my heart and I was engulfed with love. That’s getting deep, but that’s what Relay is all about to me. The Survivor’s Lap was just the beginning. How proud I was to step out on that track and say, “See everybody. If I can do it, so can you. Join me in triumph.” I remember walking and walking and walking. I couldn’t stop. Later I paid for it with leg cramps in the middle of the night, but I’m going to do it again this year. I can’t wait to walk and show honor to others and give money to ACS. I thought it couldn’t get any better and then we had the Luminaria Ceremony. Words can’t describe the power, the spirit and the love. I thought my family and friends just signed up to support me because they had always been there for me throughout my ordeal with cancer, but each and everyone of them got something out of this event for themselves. It became not about me anymore but about everyone. We are all touched by cancer in one form or another. We can all make a difference by giving of ourselves. ACS was there for me and now I’m there for them. Did I mention that I was an energetic person? Last year, my team, “Fighting (Against Cancer) Flamingos” had 14 members and we raised $5,000\. This year, my family encouraged me to raise the bar. So our team grew to be 28 members strong and our goal is $10,000\. Can we reach it? Can we exceed it? ACS promotes education and wellness, and provides funds for research. The reason I support ACS is that with all their volunteer support, the money that is raised (95 percent) actually goes into these much needed areas. I figure if a lot of people volunteer their time, then others will benefit when help is needed. As Kid’s Camp Chairperson, I have tried to plan out (for Saturday day only) a fun-filled day of games and activities that will entertain all kids and have them screaming for more. Parents will want to bring their kids for the fun and they’ll also want to walk for the cause. I’m looking for volunteers to help have fun with the kids. If you are interested, contact the SMRFL Committee at (310) 348-0356\. That way, all of us can participate in other activities throughout the day. Won’t you join me in Santa Monica this year? I’m sure you will want to: ■ Experience what I have experienced. ■ Walk to honor survivors. ■ Walk to remember those who have lost the battle to cancer. ■ Walk to support those going through this dreaded disease. ■ Come out to see if the Flamingos raise $10,000\. ■ Check out Kid’s Camp. The Santa Monica community has raised more than $100,000 since 2002, when the first American Cancer Society Relay For Life was held. This year, the third annual Relay will be held at Santa Monica College’s Corsair Field on July 24-25. Teams are made up of at least 10 to 20 people who will walk or run around the SMC track in shifts, with the goal being that someone is on the track at all times. Each team member raises money in the weeks leading up to the event. The event is not only to raise money to fight cancer, but also to remember loved ones who lost their battle to the disease and celebrate the lives of those who have survived. There will be dozens of cancer survivors — representing all forms — walking the opening lap on Saturday morning. From there, the weekend is all about fun, community and raising money. To participate, recruit friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors to form a relay team. People camp out and create a community party atmosphere together. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 7, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070704.pdf?ref=smdp.com)