[Student Reporters] Passing the Baton to Fight Canc

Annette Ko / <11th, Northwood HSI>

On June 6 2009 Irvine Valley College bustled with teenagers running around the track marching with signs and dutifully standing by game booths all for one purpose: to fight against cancer.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a nationwide annual community event in which people show support for cancer organizations by jogging on the track in a continuous relay while buying and selling fundraiser items and participating in fundraising games.

"This year we have a great turnout" observed Jay Henandez who oversaw Relay for Life at Irvine Valley College. "We are expecting to raise more money than last year." He noted that the number of volunteer teams many of which are composed of high school students had increased from 35 to 42 in 2009.

As a consequence of the recession donations from potential supporters for any cause may have suffered in general; but when asked how the current economy has affected Relay for Life Hernandez said he was surprised to see "more people give" especially this year.

From early in the morning supporters busied themselves manning individual booths preparing food and refreshments handing out free necklaces and enticing joggers to put some donation dollars into Solitaire card games.

At 1pm volunteer team leaders gathered around the stage to initiate event-wide activities: relay competitions were held on the track while live music blared from the stage. Northwood High School's Youth Action Team opened up their meticulously-prepared ball game booth which was the main attraction for a number of young children.

"We spent so much time and energy into building the ball game box. We were very happy to see kids enjoy the game and also to see our money envelope bulge" said Vevek Gupta a member of the Youth Action Team.

After sunset participants joined in a night event called Illuminaire. To honor cancer survivors people walked on the track together holding the teddy bears sold by Northwood High School's Red Cross Club members. Attendees continued to fundraise walk around the track and play games throughout the night. Some stayed to watch an outdoor movie while others retired into tents to sleep giving their last contribution to the American Cancer Society for the day.

"60% of cancer is preventable" Hernandez pointed out. "If these participants especially the young adults can get the messages to others about cancer they can reduce the number of cancer patients significantly."