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# Corporate presence still need at Relay
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/corporate-presence-still-need-at-relay/
- Published: 2004-07-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T04:45:34.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Events, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

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: Summer Smith 2\. Age: 32 3\. Residence: Santa Monica 4\. Title and what committee is responsible for: Kick off event chair and corporate sponsorship co-chair 5\. Profession: CPA at KPMG, LLP How did you get involved in Relay for Life? I served as co-team captain of the KPMG team in the 2003 Relay, which I became involved in while my mom was battling cancer.

What have you gotten out of the experience of Relay For Life? Last year, my experience with Relay was even better than I had originally expected. I planned to stay a few hours and ended up staying 24 hours. I met great people on my team, individuals I didn’t have the opportunity to work with in the office, who I strengthened my relationship with during the Relay. The event itself was so moving, most of all the Luminaria ceremony, which symbolized the hope that we all share that one day a cure will be found and provided a special opportunity for everyone to remember and honor their loved ones.

What has been your experience with cancer? My mom was diagnosed with cancer in April 2002 and passed away last September.

What would you tell someone about this event that doesn’t know about it? Relay for Life is a great opportunity to get together with friends, family and co-workers to enjoy a day of fun, games, entertainment for all ages, camp out under the stars and all the while, know that you are making a difference in the fight against cancer.

Why are you involved in this event, and not others that raise money for cancer? I have also been involved in Daffodil Days as a volunteer. I think that Relay is a really positive event for so many reasons. Relay involves people of all ages, educates the public, honors survivors and provides a fun, interactive environment for all of the participants.

What does your committee need? Corporate sponsors are needed, at all levels starting with the Bronze sponsorship at $500, up through presenting sponsorships of $10,000.

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.

For more information, contact the SMRFL Committee at (310) 348-0356.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 23, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072304.pdf?ref=smdp.com)