At American Cancer Society’s eighth annual Relay For Life on Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., attendees raised awareness about cancer, fundraised over $59,000 for research grants and provided support for patients and caregivers.
“Finding out that I had breast cancer was frightening when I was diagnosed in 2010,” Relay For Life coordinator Janet Smith said. “Luckily, I didn’t have to do it alone. The blessing has been the continuous support of my family and friends.”
Participants walked around the Temple City Park pavilion, adding a bead to a piece of lanyard after finishing a lap. Each colored bead represents a different type of cancer.
Laps, including the Survivor Lap and School Spirit Lap, kept attendees walking to show that cancer never sleeps. Participants wore fun outfits and accessories, such as silly hats for the Dr. Seuss Crazy Hat Lap, to match the lap’s theme.
Several groups, such as the Burbank Community Band and Glory Star Children’s Chorus, performed at the pavilion to provide entertainment.
ACS Club sold homemade bracelets and cookies, and offered face painting at their booth for $1. With the help of 25 other teams and several sponsors, the club contributed almost $1,500 to the total amount of donations.
In addition to their sales, ACS Club and several schools in the district donated over 2,300 cans to a food bank in a canned food drive.
“I think a lot of us have a personal connection or we just want to raise awareness,” junior Alyssa Chow said. “We don’t see it as an obligation because we want to help donate funds for research and show that we want to participate.”
Oak Avenue Intermediate School science teacher Marlisse Reina was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on May 10 and finished receiving treatment last month. To support Reina, students and family members joined Team Reina’s Royals at the event.
“My outlook is that this is a part of my life and I will fight,” Reina said. “I want to fight for myself, my family and friends, the job I love so much and the future family I so badly want for my own someday.”
At the end of the event, the community recognized many cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Participants walked the Fight Back Lap to conclude the relay.
Additionally, Pep wore pink pompoms, flags and hair bows during football games throughout October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Several members of the football team also sported pink at the away game against the La Cañada Spartans and at the home game against the Monrovia Wildcats.
“During football games, I hope we’re spreading our support and helping to motivate anyone who needs it,” senior Jessica Campbell said. “It’s important to show people that they’re not alone in this battle.”
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