For 24 hours, people from all over California united in Simi Valley to advocate cancer research.
From Oct. 13 to Oct. 14, the 14 annual Relay for Life of Simi Valley fundraiser took place at Rancho Simi Community Park. Community members came together not only to fight a devastating disease, but also to celebrate life.
Meg Carman of the Park Chicks team explains how the relay honors those who have died from cancer and celebrates those who are still fighting.
“It’s a celebration of all the people,” Carman said. “It’s solemn to remember those who lost their lives, but it’s a celebration of all the survivors.”
Through its existence, Relay for Life of Simi Valley has raised $4 million. This money was raised not only for cancer research, but also to local organizations like Road to Recovery and Look Good Feel Better that helps cancer patients and survivors get treatment and raise their self-esteem through such a difficult time.
Along the track, each team set up their own campsite in which they customized their own theme. There were 103 teams who participated in the relay. Most of them sold clothing, snacks, ribbons, and wristbands.
There were also plenty of activities provided by these campsites as well. At the campsite of the Park Chicks team, you could play Bra Pong, as you throw ping-pong balls into a bra for a prize.
There were also raffles and a silent auction where attendees won prizes from Baja Fresh coupons, bicycles, and designer bags. For $10, attendees could also dedicate a Luminaria bag to a loved one. A Luminaria bag is a lantern made of a white bag with a tea candle inside. These bags would later be illuminated at the Luminaria ceremony.
The Moorpark College Spectrum (Gay-Straight Alliance) was among the many campsites at the relay. They sold wristbands and gave out candy and rainbow coloring pages. The club’s president Benny Smith explained how the club comes out every year to show their support.
“It’s a tradition to be here to represent Moorpark College and the club,” Smith said. “It’s good to get involved in the community.”
The guests of honor at the relay were cancer survivors. They had a featured tent called Survivor’s Village where cancer survivors and their caregivers were given special t -shirts, refreshments, and shade from the blazing sun. Many of the survivors, like Juanita Ward, were happy to see so many people at the relay.
“I’m amazed at the number [of people] who survived and the number of people who are supporting the cause,” Ward said.
Survivors like Richard Schaffer advise Moorpark students to stay healthy, as cancer can affect anyone.
“Just keep on top of your health and make sure you have all you tests done,” Schaffer said.
At 10 a.m., the opening ceremony took place at the stage on a baseball diamond. After a performance of the national anthem, mayor Bob Huber and councilmen Steve Sojka and Mike Judge officially declared it Relay for Life Day. Afterwards, cancer survivors and their caregivers were the first to walk around the track.
As Miss California Teen Kimberly Bebo served as the announcer, several performers provided entertainment all throughout the relay. Among them were local bands like Hotel Sleep and Hey Suburbialocal singer Emme, and comedian Dennis Blair, who appeared on the Tonight Show and opened for George Carlin.
As the park lights dimmed down, the Luminaria ceremony began. During the middle of the ceremony, attendees were asked to close their eyes and gradually raise their purchased glow sticks if someone they knew lost the battle to cancer and then if they themselves are still fighting the disease. When they opened their eyes, they found that the majority of the people there all had raised their glow sticks.
“This is what we’re fighting for,” said Phillips at the ceremony.
At 8 a.m the next morning, the Fight Back ceremony took place. There, Laura Leonard spoke about how her life has been affected by cancer, as her struggle inspired her to bring the Bark for Life event to Simi last March.
“Relay for Life doesn’t stop today,” Leonard said. “We continue to fight back all year long.”
It was announced that this year’s relay has raised $200,000 so far for cancer research, but Phillips still tells members that the fight is not over yet.
“It doesn’t end here,” Phillips said. “Please continue to fundraise all year round because cancer doesn’t sleep, [like how] we didn’t sleep for 24 hours.”
The team members, attendees, and event coordinators all had a similar message to Moorpark students, “Get involved.” With the loss of his best friend to the disease and his wife being the team captain coordinator of the relay, Jim Harrison, of the band It’s A New Day, found performing at the relay to be worthwhile.
“The Relay is a great event to get involved in to fight this evil,” said Harrison.
