May 1, 2008

City Hall turns purple

It was a purple day at City Hall on Tuesday, April 29 as Mayor Chuck Reed and several City Council members honored local supporters of the Relay For Life.

Karen Zimmerman, left, Councilmember Nancy Pyle, center and Patti Gahagan pose for a photo surrounded by purple balloons. Gahagan and Zimmerman are the chairs for this year’s Almaden Relay For Life.

Event officials from Almaden, Willow Glen and Blossom Valley Relays For Life joined Reed and Councilmembers Nancy Pyle, Pierluigi Oliverio and Forrest Williams during a 1 p.m. press conference and later received a commendation from the City Council for their work in helping to raise money to find a cure for cancer.

During the commendation portion of the City Council meeting, Almaden Relay For Life Chair Patti Gahagan spoke about the importance of the American Cancer Society and how the fundraising events like Relay For Life provide the funds that benefit research and various programs the ACS sponsors. Reed acknowledged the ACS, and emphasized the importance of volunteers and what they do to bring Relay to Life to the citizens of San Jose.

The event officials then decorated the council members with purple pins and flowers designed to call attention to Thursday’s Paint Our Town Purple Day where Almaden shopping centers, such as the small mall on Almaden Expressway and McAbee Road as well as Lucky, PW and Safeway Stores go purple for the day.

Throughout California, towns, schools and businesses plan to “paint our town purple” to celebrate cancer survivorship and bring attention to the yearly event, which in Almaden will be held June 28 at Leland High School. So far, 30 teams have signed up for the Almaden event with 167 participating. With nearly two months left before the Relay, the Almaden group has raised more than $10,000.

“We’re using the power of purple to bring good news to cancer survivors and mobilize the community,” said Gahagan. “Paint Own Town Purple Day is a time to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, and to have some fun with the color purple to bring attention to the American Cancer Society’s many programs and services in our community.”

Former and current cancer patients, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to take part in this exciting team event. It is a family-oriented event where participants enjoy the camaraderie of a team and also raise funds to help eliminate cancer. Participants camp out at the Relay site, and when they are not taking their turn walking, they take part in fun activities and enjoy local entertainment. The event helps communities celebrate those who have faced cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

Teams from companies, churches, organizations, hospitals, and schools collect donations and can win individual and team prizes for their efforts. “Relay For Life brings the progress against cancer to the forefront,” said Gahagan. “Many participants are our family, friends, and neighbors who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been not only reducing death rates, but also in the quality of life following cancer treatment.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

One out of every three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime; a disease characterized by the growth and spread of abnormal cells which can cause premature death if not controlled.

“The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated,” Gahagan said
Registration forms and information about the Relay For Life are available on the Almaden Relay’s Web site www.events.cancer.org/rflAlmadenca. For more information contact AlmadenRelayForLife@yahoo.com or the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345, or by visiting www.cancer.org.