By Daily Press staff
Santa Monicans this month 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. Teams are made up of people who will walk or run around a track in shifts. The registration fee is $150 and each team member is encouraged to raise a minimum of $100. Team participants camp out and enjoy music, entertainment and refreshments, as well as build team spirit in the fight against cancer.
Organizers say the power of the event relay allows the community to grieve for those who have been lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who have successfully survived. It gives everyone, from the newly diagnosed patient to the caregivers of those who have struggled with the disease, an opportunity to be with others who have been touched by cancer.
The event begins on Saturday, July 23 at 9 a.m. and runs continuously until 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 24. It will be held at Santa Monica College’s Corsair Field, 1900 Pico Blvd.
Leading up to the event, the Daily Press will highlight volunteers’ stories.
Betsy Wheeler Kollgaard
Age: 52
Residence: Santa Monica
Profession: Administrative analyst with the City of Santa Monica
What is your role in the Relay for Life and what is your committee responsible for?
Chair, House of Worship Recruitment
How did you get involved in Relay for Life?
I supported my cousin Laurie with her Relay in Maryland for many years. Last year, I took the plunge and joined the Relay team “Spike It!” at work. Last year I’d promised (threatened, some might say) my church, St. Augustine-by-Sea Episcopal to start a team. For a long time I’d had a dream of inviting the two neighboring churches located in the same block of Fourth Street over for coffee and the idea hit me of having a joint Relay team with them. So, the Holy Strollers team was born. It seemed like a logical step to accept the position of chair of the brand new House of Worship Recruitment team when I was invited to join the Relay For Life Committee, and I’m excited that all faiths and disciplines are welcome.
What has been your experience so far?
The Relay For Life is great fun, at the same time touching, exhilarating and exhausting. Much like life, Relay has its highs and lows. It is a beautiful thing to see survivors taking their lap, yet it’s heartbreaking to know my sister-in-law is probably too ill to make that one lap this year. As I looked at the young children, I recall thinking, “maybe their kids won’t know what it’s like to lose someone to cancer.” That this generation will be the one that beats cancer.” I find that if I wallow in the negative energy of my grief, my anger, my frustration over what cancer did to my family and my friends’ lives I don’t accomplish anything. But if I invest that energy into fundraising, team building, participating in Relay, I am built up, I am supported, I am healed.
What has been your experience with cancer?
I remember many. I rejoice with many, I celebrate them all. The list is so long … grandfather, aunts, friends, co-workers, classmates, my sister-law … my son, now 22 lost six square inches of his scalp when they removed the tumor from the back of his head when his was just 11.
What would you tell someone about this event who doesn’t know about it?
Wherever you are in your journey, Relay For Life is a wonderful place to be. If you need to laugh, cry, dance, pray, serve, be served, share hope or gain hope, you’ll find it at Relay.
Why are you involved in this event, and not others that raise money for cancer?
First, the American Cancer Society was a life line during my son’s illness. Next are the financial facts: Only one nickel out of every dollar raised goes toward putting on the event, with 95 cents going toward research, advocacy, service and education. Finally, cancer is an equal-opportunity disease, striking all ages, socio-economic groups and it hits all parts of the body and the fact that ACS isn’t specialized for example, in dealing with one type of cancer, that appeals to me. Oh, and did I mention that Relay is one awesome 24-hour party?
What does your committee need?
Spread the word that even this late in the game, we would love more team members, more member houses of worship participating, and will warmly welcome everyone to our team. Join the team or make a donation online at www.acsevents/relay/ca/santamonica <http://www.acsevents/relay/ca/santamonica>. For more information about 2005 Relay for Life or to find out how to start a team for 2006, e-mail
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 20, 2005. Read the original PDF.