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Proud Survivors wearing the traditional purple shirts showing they kicked cancer led off the ceremony with the Survivor March around the track at Isbell Middle School at the weekend Relay for Life. |
Relay for Life: Fighters raise $ for 24 hours because cancer never sleeps
April 29, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
What more could you want than raising money for a wonderful cause at a 24-hour party with plenty of love, support and entertainment for your family and friends who join to fight a common enemy?
Nothing, according to John Marquez who with Gwen Haddad and Bob Orlando was co-chair of the 14th Annual Santa Paula Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society.
The April 25-26 Relay held at Isbell Middle School “Was better than I expected,” said Marquez. “Everything was so smooth, everyone had a great time and we did very well as far as fundraising goes,” so far exceeding its $50,000 goal by more than $6,000 — and still counting as fundraising continues.
Relay for Life is like no other fundraiser: “Because cancer never sleeps” for 24 hours those in the cancer fight, whether with the disease, who have lost loved ones to the disease or are Survivors, ran, walked and strolled around the track at Isbell Middle School, a conga line of those determined to eradicate cancer.
One of the most popular events in Santa Paula, local supporters of Relay for Life have been the highest fundraiser per capita for the America Cancer Society which uses proceeds for research, programs and services for those with cancer and their families as well as Survivors.
Marquez admitted to being nervous about the fundraising: “This year we had about eight teams overall and that lowered our expectations,” but the goal being reached and surpassed has left organizers and supporters, “Very pleased…”
The famed Condor Cancer Crushers team of Isbell students, this year 119 members strong raised $18,500, an amount Marquez called “incredible…they raised that even with the loss of the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch,” where until last year the team raised even more money by helping at the Rotary sponsored event held at the UC Hansen Trust owned property.
The students said Marquez were “More excited than usual because the event was held on their school grounds…they’re great, like a little Army,” deploying to cheerily do any duty asked from cleaning the grounds to lighting the Luminaria s.
About 340 were registered for the event with another 300 or so attending special Relay events including the opening ceremony and triumphant Survivors March as well as the poignant Luminaria Lighting paying tribute to those lost to cancer.
Hundreds more wandered in and out of the event to show support and enjoy the activities.
Survivors were the celebrities of this year’s Relay and Survivor Chair Netti Farrar — “She did a great job!” said Marquez — made sure they were pampered with a special breakfast sponsored by El Pescador and a tasty tea throughout the day.
Santa Paula Police and Fire handed out medals to Survivors — each summoned by the number of years they have kicked cancer to the curb —to show their support “Hero to Hero” including by Police Chief Steve McLean and Fire Captain John Harber.
“It was very touching,” and Marquez said even when 21 years or more was called Survivors proudly stepped forward for the recognition medal/
Marquez said police and fire offered “Huge support” for the event including the SPPD Explorers and Reserve Sgt. Dave Curran as well as SPPD Officers on patrol.
Relay Honorary Chairman Alfonso Gamino, Superintendent of the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD), took his responsibility seriously although he was having serious fun: “He came up to me and said ‘What do I do?’ ” but Marquez said Gamino didn’t need much direction and “made sure he talked with each student, including the Cancer Crushers.”
The school district was “Very supportive,” and speakers included SPUSD Board President Michelle Kolbeck and Frida Friend, longtime SPUSD administrator, both Survivors.
Jack Pitluk, who lost his first wife to cancer, spoke of his experiences at the Luminaria Lighting event.
Cancer touches everyone: there is no one the United States that has not had a loved one, a coworker or a friend — or themselves — suffer from the disease.
Even Marquez whose wife Gina Marquez is a 10-year Survivor.
But their involvement in Relay for Life started when their twin daughters Jazmin and Denay were Isbell Cancer Crushers.
“That was their way to deal with it, they actually got us involved,” and Marquez said the Relay experience, “When we actually saw the kids out there, the people involved,” made them believers.
But it takes a village to stage Relay for Life and Marquez said wcredit must be given to Bob Orlando and John Procter for logistics, the “Top notch” entertainment secured by “our great Entertainment Chair Lucy Vega,” including voice impressionist Jerry Machado, “A traditional Las Vegas lounge lizard…he was hilarious!” among others.
“And we had great sound,” courtesy of Rico’s After Hours Productions who “brought a whole army of people!” to help.
Marquez is appreciative of all committee members and supporters who vowed, “They’d make it the best Relay ever…and it was one of our better ones! The committee did a great job, we had so much community support the last week it was great how the community rallied around us.”
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(Left) Above: Members of the Santa Paula Police and Fire departments including Police Chief Steve McLean (2nd from left) presented “Hero to Hero” medals to Survivors at the 14th Annual Santa Paula American Cancer Society Relay for Life, held April 25 and 26. (Right) Left: Alfonso Gamino, Superintendent of the Santa Paula Unified School District, introduced longtime district administrator Frida Friend, a cancer Survivor and featured speaker at Saturday’s Survivor March, the first event at the 24-hour Relay for Life.
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