May 19, 2005

Stepping forward

Almaden/Blossom Valley community steps forward to
support American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Pioneer High School’s Pink Power Rangers joined forces with Taylor Tigers, Walking Ya-Ya’s and other teams in their fight against cancer during the recent American Cancer Society’s Blossom Valley Relay for Life.

WOW MOM – Women On a Walk and Men On a Mission were on a mission to find a cure. They said that this is one mission that won’t be impossible. Photos by Lorraine Gabbert

“This is an event by the community for the community,” said ACS Relay for Life staff partner Magda Jisrawi. “They are here together, making a difference in the fight against cancer.”

During this event, community members joined the American Cancer Society (ACS) in celebrating the lives of cancer survivors, supporting those fighting cancer and remembering those lost to the disease.

Surpassing their goal of $120,000, they raised more than $158,000 toward cancer research, treatment and education.

Teams usually consist of eight to 20 people, and throughout the 24 hours, a representative from each team must always be walking on the track, symbolizing the fact that cancer never takes a break.

“We almost didn’t do it this year because we all were just a little too busy,” said members of the Walking Ya-Ya’s team. “Then we found out that one of the girls that our daughters play soccer with was diagnosed with bone cancer and we decided we weren’t too busy after all. We would walk for Kimmy. Then one of our people on our team found out her husband’s cancer has come back, so it was meant for us to be here and we will continue to be here every year, regardless of how busy we are.”

Story of Relay for Life
Started 20 years ago by Dr. Gordon Klatt, who walked around a track for 24 hours in support of his cancer patients, the Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event and the largest 24-hour community-based fund-raiser in the world. This year, three million people will participate in the Relay for Life in 4,200 communities across the country. In its sixth year, the Blossom Valley Relay has raised more than a half million dollars so far, and continues to grow.

Sixty cancer survivors led the first lap of the Relay for Life.

The relay is for everyone, from runners to people in wheelchairs, from children to grandparents, co-workers, families and friends. Unfortunately, so is cancer. What makes the relay so powerful, is not only the significant funds it raises, but also its life-affirming nature. Sixty cancer survivors attended this year’s relay and basked in the glow of their community’s support.

“The Relay for Life comes together with a lot of hard work, planning and great people,” said event chair Diane Lewandowski. Close to 700 people in 60 teams participate in the event, including residents from Almaden, Santa Teresa, Blossom Valley, Cambrian and Evergreen. Elementary schools such as Glider, Sakamoto, Christopher, Miner and Santa Teresa take part, as well as high schools such as Oak Grove, Pioneer, Branham, Evergreen and Santa Teresa.

“This event reminds me that there’s great hope for cancer survivors and finding a cure,” said Lewandowski. “It gives people a chance to be proud of surviving it, and the community a chance to support them.”

Venue changed from Oak Grove High to Davis Middle
In previous years, the Relay for Life has been held at Oak Grove High School, but because their track is under construction, the ACS had to search for a new venue. “We chose Caroline Davis Middle School because of its beautiful location with the hills as a backdrop,” said Jisrawi. “It also has a huge track and is very community-based. We’re very excited to be here.” Davis Principal Jeanette Crawford felt it was only fitting to host the relay as numerous people on their staff have been touched by cancer and participate in the event.

Relay participants set up tents across the field, with some teams setting up elaborately decorated headquarters.

Members of the Almaden Business Association formed a team and said they were there “because we care.”

Selling sunscreen bars and visors, Oak Grove School District’s theme was “Sun, Fun and Skin Safety.”

Keeping with their theme of “Looking Good and Feeling Better,” the Glider Girls offered hair wraps and hand massages. “We all know people who have survived cancer and we’ve lost some people,” said the Glider Girls. “We’re out to have a good time and raise a lot of money.”

During the opening ceremony, registration chair Cheryl Snyder presented a plaque in memory of Ed De La Rue to his family, honoring his years of service to the Blossom Valley Relay for Life. “We lost a dear friend very suddenly and very unexpectedly,” said Snyder, speaking of De La Rue. “He spent countless hours contributing to this relay.”

In his honor, they released snow-white doves into the clear, blue sky.

Following the ceremony, 60 cancer survivors led the teams under the balloon arch for their first lap around the track. The Almaden Business Association, an event sponsor, was “here because they care.” Members of Santa Teresa High School’s baseball team, Angels in the Outfield, walked in memory of teammate Winston, who lost the fight against cancer at age 19. Hippies Against Cancer had recently lost a friend—a young mother with two children—to breast cancer. With hope in their hearts, Bad to the Bones sported “Cure for Curry” T-shirts in support of their friend and soccer teammate Kimmy Curry who is currently fighting bone cancer.

Presentations and entertainment continued throughout the relay, including live music provided by Davis Jazz bands, West Valley Chamber Singers, the 70s Band and Singers Around the Bay. Games, team skits, movies and sports rounded out the activities, with people still playing volleyball and basketball as night fell and colored lights twinkled on tents.

Luminaria service is solemn, beautiful
Most poignant of all however, was the luminaria, or candle-lighting ceremony.

Teammates huddled together as the hot day gave way to a cool evening, listening to readings, memories and music expressing personal experiences and hopes in the fight against cancer.

San Jose City firefighters joined in the luminaria.

“We come together tonight on this field for a celebration of life, hope and courage,” said luminaria ceremony emcee Alison Montgomery, representing event sponsor Ventura Barnett Properties. “We have set aside a time of reflection to honor those who have given us the inspiration to be here.”

Cancer survivor Renee Levy shared her personal story of survival, crediting her sense of humor with seeing her through. “A friend of mine gave me holy water from her church,” said Levy. “Can you imagine a Jewish girl pouring holy water all over herself in the shower?” The night before her mastectomy, Levy threw a party at the Biltmore Hotel in Santa Clara. “Since I couldn’t have anything to eat or drink after midnight, I had three cosmopolitans before midnight,” she laughed.

Levy appreciated the heartfelt support she received throughout her experience. “If you have a lot of support, you have a much better chance of surviving cancer,” she said. “With that support, I was able to get through the most difficult time of my life. It’s made me realize what’s really important—how precious each day is—and how special my family and friends are.” Today she lends her support to others with breast cancer.

Firefighters from the San Jose Fire Department who had paid a safety visit to the relay site by day, returned for the luminaria, with one firefighter bringing along his mother, a cancer survivor. Next year, the firefighters plan to return again—this time as a team.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. It started with one candle and grew from there, each person in turn lighting the next, until there were so many candles lit that the night was aglow with light.

“Let these luminaries signal to those we love that we will remember,” said Montgomery. “These candles and luminaries burn for all to see that your love and your memory burn brightest in our hearts. You will always be a part of us.”

The mood was silent and solemn as people walked around the track lit by luminaries.

Holding candles, they stopped to read messages written in memory of loved ones on the personalized luminaries.

Initially eager to locate the bags they had made, some were moved to tears to find them and feel the impact of the loss they represented.

Accounting on a Cure team member Jim Dalton and grandchildren take to the track. From left, Marshall, Katelyn, Josh and little Sierra Dalton.

“Please follow us onto the track to visit the luminaries so that we may remember, pay honor to, reflect and strengthen our resolve to continue this fight for a cure for cancer,” said Montgomery. “As you look at the names on the luminaria bags, remember these people who have been given many challenges and along the way, challenged each of us to bring out the best in ourselves.”

Fighting the disease
Through the Relay for Life, ACS funds mammograms, pap smears and programs like Road to Recovery (which provides transportation for patients to receive cancer treatment), Reach to Recovery (which matches breast cancer patients with survivors) and Look Good Feel Better (which provides wigs and makeup).

“It’s important for us to raise money for cancer research and education,” said accounting chair Mary Jane Stiff.

“We all have a common goal which is to eradicate cancer.”

“It’s our hope that we’ll have a cancer-free world,” said Lewandowski. “The reason that we’re out here is to put the American Cancer Society out of business.”