Relay an inspiring event for volunteer 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 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 For Life 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.
The team event begins Saturday at 9 a.m. and runs continuously until 9 a.m. on Sunday. Leading up to the event, the Daily Press will highlight volunteers’ stories: Andrea Balch Age: 25 Residence: Los Angeles Title: Relay for Life Committee Secretary Profession and workplace: Supervisor, Hospital-Based Family Resource Center How did you get involved in Relay for Life?
In the summer of 2002, I was coordinating psychosocial care at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center. I was approached one day by visiting members of a local Relay For Life Committee, and they asked if I would consider attending the event and speaking at the “Survivor’s Ceremony.” I agreed and was so inspired by the warm welcome and great community spirit I found there that the following year I contacted ACS to inquire about volunteer opportunities. When the Santa Monica committee heard that I was interested in giving my time to Relay For Life again, they recruited me to hold a committee chair position in team coordination. Following our tremendously successful event in 2003, it was announced that the esteemed Santa Monica Police Lt. Frank Fabrega would be the next year’s event chair. When he asked me to serve as his committee secretary in 2004, I was thrilled to accept.
What has been your experience with cancer?
During my entire childhood, I was acutely aware of my aunt Kathy’s fight with cancer. I watched our family struggle to take care of her and was inspired by her incredible strength and faith. When I was in college, I took a position supervising a support center for female cancer patients at a local hospital. In an effort to improve that facility’s ability to serve this particular demographic, I collaborated with their oncology department on a thesis exploring psychosocial and sexual variables among those patients.
The summer after my graduation, Kathy finally lost her 20-year battle with the disease that had disabled her but had never broken her fierce spirit. Inspired by her, and the many other loved ones I had lost, I decided to dedicate my career to aiding chronically ill patients and their families. In an unexpected twist, my ability to relate to my clients was heightened in 2001 when my companion at the time was diagnosed with cancer, and I became a caregiver.
What would you tell someone about this event that doesn't know about it?
I would ask anyone who is interested to take a few hours out of their life to visit their local Relay For Life. If they are anything like me, they will be amazed by the commitment of the organizers, the boundless energy of the participants, and the miracles that can take place whenever people gather to celebrate life. This is a unique opportunity to share the joy, the grief, and the hope we all hold in this fight against cancer. Most importantly, in the midst of the food and the friends and the music, critical funds are raised to aid programs. There is no better way I know to spend a weekend.
Why are you involved in this event, and not others that raise money for cancer?
As a health care professional, I know that the American Cancer Society’s commitment to support, research and education is exceptional. I have worked with patients whose direct needs were met by this organization and the amount of funding ACS provides to research is frankly astounding. Moreover, the statistics illustrate that ACS makes a concerted effort to minimize overhead and apply fundraising money directly to its programs and partners.
What does your committee need?
We need volunteers to serve on the day of the event. We also are particularly interested in bringing in young people who are motivated to learn about serving their community.
Anyone who would like to offer his or her time may contact Lisa Purkhiser, volunteer coordinator, at
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 3, 2004. Read the original PDF.