Hundreds to Participate in Relay for Life Menifee This Saturday

More than 500 people and 22 teams have registered to take part in Relay for Life Menifee, a 24-hour event to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The eighth annual event will take place at Paloma Valley High School from 9 a.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday. Walkers and runners will circle the track around the clock, raising awareness and funds in honor of friends and loved ones as well as anyone suffering from cancer. Similar events are held across the country year-round.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s version of a relay, but with a twist. Relay for Life is a family-oriented team event where participants can walk or run around the track, relay-style, for 24 hours. Participants camp out around the track and when they aren’t taking their turn on the track, they take part in fun activities with family, neighbors, and co-workers.

Cancer survivors will participate in an inspirational "survivor's lap" during the opening ceremony. They will receive a special medal in celebration of their survivorship.

"Relay For Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together in the fight against cancer" said Cathi Hill, staff partner for the Relay For Life of Menifee for the American Cancer Society. "Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that our community is not immune to this disease and that we can actually help our friends, families and neighbors that have been touched by cancer.”

Hill said education in cancer prevention, a healthy lifestyle and nutrition will be offered. Music and dance will be part of the day's events, and at nightfall there will be a candlelighting "Luminaria" ceremony.

Teams from companies and organizations collect donations and can win prizes for their efforts. A team consists of 10 or more members, and can be made up of neighbors, family members, co-workers, church friends, students and youth, or any combination of cancer fighters. Each team member is asked to collect $100 in donations to the American Cancer Society.

"Relay for Life is as much an awareness raiser about progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser to fight cancer," said Hill. "For cancer survivors, their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made, not only in cancer cure rates, but in the quality of life following cancer treatment.

"The funds raised will enable us to expand our services to cancer patients and their families, to offer more educational programs that will reduce people’s risk of getting cancer, and to expand cancer research programs," Hill added.

Registration forms and information about the Relay for Life are available at www.relayforlife.org/menifeeca or from the American Cancer Society by calling the Inland Empire Area Office at 951-300-1220. For information on cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, call 800-ACS-2345, or visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.