Relay For Life Gearing Up for July Event

Although the lumineria ceremony evokes the most emotion during the 24-hour , it's the collective efforts of the teams of friends, co-workers, and family members of cancer victims and survivors that form the powerful base of this annual American Cancer Society fundraiser.

This year's event will be held July 28-29 at Oracle Marine View Park. Local organizers Sima Folger and Elba Sobrino are in the process of getting teams registered, sponsors committed, and volunteers lined up. 

"Right now we have a need for volunteers on the food and hospitality, logistics, advocacy, and sponsorship committees. chair," said Sobrino. 

The concept behind the 24-hour relay lies in the truth that "cancer never sleeps," explains Folger, who lost her mother to cancer in 2001. 

"The focus of the American Cancer Society is on four things, and their logo reflects that--get well, stay well, find a cure and fight back," said Folger. "

Folger and Sobrino have worked together on Relay for Life in previous years and both feel strongly about their roles as lead organizers.

"The event gives everyone in our community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back so one day no one has to hear the words 'you have cancer'," Sobrino said.

They explained that the relay is a team event, where groups of people from the community - friends, family, coworkers - walk around a track throughout the night, “relay” style, while raising awareness and funds in the fight against cancer.

Sobrino explained that the Oracle's Marine View Park is the perfect spot for an all-day, all-night event. 

"It's a great spot and people will walk and walk and walk around the lagoon," she said.

Folger added that the lumineria ceremony is one of the most powerful moments of the entire event. 

"At dusk, white bags with handwritten messages to cancer victims and survivors light up the course and spell out 'HOPE'. It's very moving," she said.

To those who have participated in past relays, Folger and Sobrino say, "We would love to see much more participation and engagement, including volunteering, sponsorships, team captains, and individual donors, so we can make our 2012 Belmont Relay for Life a great success."  

To join the local Relay for Life as a team, a survivor participant, a sponsor or a volunteer, contact event chair Sima Folger at 650 868-2811 or simafolger@comcast.net.

For more information, go to www.relayforlife.org/belmontca