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: Char Bossel Age: 64 Residence: Los Angeles Title: Relay for Life team recruitment chairperson Profession: Administrative assistant, Santa Monica Place How did you get involved in Relay for Life? I was contacted in 2002 by Santa Monica Police Lt. Frank Fabrega, asking if the Santa Monica Place Community Room could be available for Relay for Life meetings. We were able to arrange the time and space. In 2003 we again made meeting space available and Frank asked that I get involved. We put together a Santa Monica Place Team and participated in 2003 relay and had a wonderful and fulfilling time. So, here we are again this time, with me on the Core Committee.
What would you tell someone about this event that doesn’t know about it?
Get out there and walk. Get out there and raise money. Get out there and help raise awareness. If you smoke, quit now. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Get your annual mammogram or PSA. Come out and join us, many hands (and feet) will make the job easier.
What has been your experience so far? What have you gotten out of it and describe the experience?
Seeing the Survivors Lap — the beautiful smiling faces of men, women and children who are beating this disease — and the Luminaria Ceremony that demonstrated that cancer touches everyone, were heartwarming. There is no way you can be even the smallest part of this without knowing you must get involved.
Seeing parents carrying infants and newborns while walking the track; an elderly and very frail lady in a wheelchair being pushed around the track by her caregiver; old, middle aged, young, everyone working for the same goals: To find a cure, to eliminate cancer.
What has been your experience with cancer? One grandmother died of breast cancer, an uncle who is a survivor of prostate cancer; several cousins with breast cancer (one a survivor, one who lost her battle years ago); a cousin who survived thyroid cancer over 20 years ago and just four months ago, had colon cancer surgery, she is doing just wonderfully, too.
Why are you involved in this event, and not others that raise money for cancer?
This is a community event, raising awareness in the community. Money raised will be spent for research here (not in other parts of the country).
This is a volunteer effort. Virtually all the money raised at Relay for Life goes to the American Cancer Society. The facilities are donated, entertainment, food, everything.
What does your committee need? What does any committee need? People. Teams. Sign up today.
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 14, 2004. Read the original PDF.