Hundreds of Participants Prepared for Relay for Life

The 2014 Relay for Life Menifee attracted hundreds of participants. Saturday's event will do the same. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

At least 20 teams of participants will walk the track and nearly $60,000 has been raised already through the Relay for Life Menifee, which will take place Saturday through Sunday morning at Paloma Valley High School.

Participants who have raised donations and obtained sponsors will take turns walking or running the track in a 24-hour effort to fund cancer research and honor those who have or are battling cancer.

According to Jennafer Griswold, coordinator of the event, 437 scheduled participants had raised $59,658 by this afternoon. Many events are scheduled throughout the day and night Saturday involving participants -- some of whom will spend the entire night alternating laps of the track. An opening ceremony at 9 a.m. will celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. That will be followed by a ceremonial first lap taken by cancer survivors and a "caregivers lap" honoring those who cared for cancer victims.

A highlight of the event is the luminaria ceremony. At 9 p.m., the track will be lined with candles honoring cancer victims and tributes will be made to victims and survivors.

The theme of the event is "Superheroes Don't All Wear Capes." Throughout the day and evening, events will celebrate the efforts of first responders, doctors, nurses and teachers, featuring a comic book theme. Teams representing law enforcement will participate.

Leading the fundraising efforts so far are Team Kelli, with captain Paula Vigarito ($14,500), and Team Pledge, with captain Nicole Fanning ($14,496).

School teams include Team Interact Club from Paloma Valley High School, with captain Jacqueline Baltazar; Heritage Friends and Family Team; Once Upon a Cure; and Ridgemoor Elementary Kickin Cancer with Kane, with captain Yvonne Sharp. That team honors 9-year-old cancer survivor Kane Van Slyke, a student at Ridgemoor Elementary.

Raffles for registered participants will take place throughout the 24-hour event for team-created baskets ranging in value from $100 to $1,000. The grand prize is an outdoor living room with a 40-inch flat screen TV, donated by Target for a Cure. Winner must be present to win.

Residents who have not registered are invited to come out to participate or cheer on others. For more information, visit the Relay for Life Menifee Facebook page.