Orlando introduced Catherine Pulisic, lead manager for the ACS Silicon-Gold Coast Region and responsible for overseeing 22 relays, including Santa Paula. “I love this community and it’s very much an honor to work with your community,” including, said Pulisic, those who have been active in the relays.All funds raised by relays are applied to research and local services for cancer victims and their families. “Really, our platform is to spread the word of what the American Cancer Society is doing and how to avoid getting cancer,” of which 2/3 is “avoidable” if lifestyle changes are made.Relay for Life is a 24-hour event designed to celebrate the survivors and caregivers of those with cancer, and to remember those loved ones lost to the disease. Relay teams circle the track continuously, because “Cancer never sleeps.”Relay participants enjoy food, fellowship, entertainment and many activities during the event, which features three ceremonies: the Survivors Walk, Luminaries, which remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and the Fight Back Ceremony. Orlando said the relay is “one day, one night, one community” where the event creates a “different level of awareness.”As with most business meetings, “There are calls for action and our call to action is to fight back.... Relay for Life” and the research and programs it funds “does not,” added Orlando, “stop that night.”In honor of his daughter, who underwent a double mastectomy and has been cancer-free for seven years, Blanchard has participated in Relay for Life and found it “really very gratifying.” For more information call 1-800-ACS-2345.
GMSP: Relay for Life a 24-hour event because cancer never sleeps
March 06, 2009
Santa Paula News
Relay for Life is getting ready to step out, and those who would like to raise funds for the fight against cancer were urged by its chairman to participate in the unique event at February’s Good Morning Santa Paula.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesRelay for Life is getting ready to step out, and those who would like to raise funds for the fight against cancer were urged by its chairman to participate in the unique event at February’s Good Morning Santa Paula. URS Corporation/Bob Orlando hosted the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event, held at Logsdon’s at the Santa Paula Airport.John Blanchard, Chamber President/CEO, noted Orlando is the chairman of the April 25-26 Santa Paula Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society, and “It’s an extraordinary event that gets headlines all over the county, a super event.”Santa Paula’s Relay for Life started eight years ago “with a handful of teams” that Orlando said have grown remarkably over the years. “We’ve exceeded our goal as much as we could to raise money for the fight against cancer... no matter what we do, cancer seems to cropping up, it has no boundaries” of who is affected, including loved ones of those with cancer.Orlando added that for the first time occurrences and the death rate for cancer have declined, “due to efforts like this. This is the largest non-governmental” agency that devotes record funding to the cause.Orlando started with the Oxnard Relay for Life 12 years ago. “I thought it was a good thing, we had no cancer in the family, but then a few” relatives were struck by the disease.“The one that really affected us most dramatically” was when Orlando’s son - finishing his Masters degree - was diagnosed with cancer. After undergoing aggressive treatment, “He grew his hair back, got a job, got married and has been clean of cancer for two years now.”
