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# On a mission to find a cure By Daily Press staff
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/on-a-mission-to-find-a-cure-by-daily-press-staff/
- Published: 2004-07-22T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:23:29.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Health, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Survivors, others prepare for relay*

Later this week, 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: Joanna L. Morales, Esq. Age: 27 Residence: West Los Angeles Relay for Life title: Mission delivery chair Profession: Attorney, assistant director of the Cancer Legal Resource Center at the Western Law Center for Disability Rights.

How did you get involved in Relay for Life? This spring, Andrea Balch, a former co-worker at the John Wayne Cancer Institute and the Relay committee secretary, invited me to join the Relay committee. Based on my experience educating cancer patients, she thought I would be interested in being mission delivery chair. I jumped at the chance to help educate Santa Monica Relay participants about American Cancer Society programs and services related to patient support, cancer awareness, advocacy, research and volunteer opportunities.

What would you tell someone about this event that doesn't know about it? The greatest thing about the American Cancer Society Relay For Life is that it shows people impacted by cancer that they are supported by their own community, and it includes people with all types of cancer.

What has been your experience so far? Having grown up in Santa Monica and attending Lincoln Middle School and Santa Monica High School, I learned how tight-knit the community of Santa Monica can be. I have been thrilled to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to me. It has been so easy to get individuals, organizations, and businesses involved in the Relay For Life, once they understand what an amazing event it is.

What has been your experience with cancer? During my senior year at Santa Monica High School, I began working at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica. I worked for the psychosocial care program and as coordinator of the Positive Appearance Center, counseling and educating patients regarding the comfort and cosmetic side effects of cancer treatment. I spent eight years at the institute, while attending UCLA and Loyola Law School.

While in law school I also interned at the Cancer Legal Resource Center. On a daily basis I was educated about the myriad of issues that cancer patients have to face as a result of their diagnosis. After graduating, I wanted to be able to use my law degree and my experience working with people impacted by cancer. I was fortunate to receive the Loyola Law School post graduate fellowship in public interest law to work at the Cancer Legal Resource Center.

Why are you involved in this event? Many cancer-related organizations are dedicated to the noble goal of researching a cure for cancer. However, having spent my adult life working with patients that currently have cancer, I have realized that it is equally important to assist those that are currently dealing with cancer. The American Cancer Society is able to successfully help people who currently have cancer, while they sponsor research to find a cure for cancer.

What does your committee need? My committee needs volunteers to help out on the day of the event. Anyone who would like to offer their time may contact Lisa Purkhiser, volunteer coor-dinator, at 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 22, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072204.pdf?ref=smdp.com)