The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is Coming to Livermore, Pleasanton

By Jay Hipps, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Relay for Life, which the American Cancer Society calls "the world's largest and most impactful fundraising event to end cancer," is coming to the Tri-Valley! The event brings together communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, to remember loved ones lost, and to take action to finish the fight once and for all. With the support of thousands of volunteers like you, the American Cancer Society is helping save more than 500 lives a day.

The American Cancer Society will again be hosting the Relay For Life, a fun-filled 24 hour relay that takes place nationwide to help raise awareness and fund research for cancer. Millions of people in thousands of communities nationwide come together each year to generate money to help prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from the disease.

Livermore and Pleasanton will each hold Relay for Life events in the coming months. On June 25-26, the Livermore Relay for Life will be held at Livermore High School at 600 Maple Street, beginning at 9:00 am. The Pleasanton Relay For Life will be held at Pleasanton Middle School at 5001 Case Avenue on July 23, 2016, at 9:00 am.

The goal of the Relay for Life is to get teams of friends, businesses, service organizations and more to raise funds for cancer research by walking or running around the event track. At least one person from each team will be on the track during the 24 hour event. There are many ways to participate in the Relay For Life. You can volunteer your services, join an existing team, start a new team, sponsor a walker or make a donation online. Entertainment, food, games and activities for participants will be available throughout the event.

Both events will feature a number of special segments or ceremonies. The Opening Ceremony brings everyone together for a high-energy event kickoff that celebrates the lives of those who have battled cancer and reminds us all that while we are winning this battle, fighting cancer is a year-round priority. Following the opening ceremony comes the Survivors Lap, where cancer survivors take the first lap around the track. Cheered on by the other participants and the sound of upbeat music, the Survivors Lap lets all cancer survivors at the event celebrate their victory over cancer. That is followed by the Caregivers Lap, which allows anyone who ever cared for someone with cancer to be honored. Caregivers can walk this lap with the person they helped if they are also present.

After night falls, a candlelight Luminaria Ceremony allows participants to remember loved ones lost to cancer, to support people who currently have cancer, and to honor people who fought cancer in the past.

Finally, a closing ceremony celebrates what participants accomplished together during the previous 24 hours.

To find out more about the American Cancer Society or the Relay For Life, visit their web site at www.cancer.org. For information about the Pleasanton event, access www.relayforlife.org/pleasantonca. Details about the Relay for Life in Livermore can be accessed at www.relayforlife.org/livermoreca.

Additional information is also available by contacting local event coordinator Kristen Shelbourne of the American Cancer Society at (925) 357-6499 or via e-mail at kristen.shelbourne@cancer.org.

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