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.
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 10, 2004. Read the original PDF.