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| ‘Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back’ at relay |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Wednesday, 14 May 2008 | |
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At a glance
WHAT: American Cancer Society Relay For Life WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday WHERE: Patterson Community Stadium, Ward and Salado avenues INFO: John Salvador, 401-3209; info for survivors, Donna Corgiat, 505-0652 Patterson’s Relay For Life participants are noted for going above and beyond their set goals, and the coming weekend’s relay should be no exception. Organizers hope to better the $100,000 goal set for Saturday and Sunday’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life. “Donate to an individual participant or team and that will count in the total,” John Salvador, local Relay For Life chairman, suggested. “Fundraising doesn’t stop at the end of the relay. There’s post-fundraising, too.”  Fighters: Barbara Angellar (left) and Bridgett Jurado share a moment during a survivors’ lap after the luminaria ceremony at Patterson's 2007 Relay For Life. The 2008 relay will be Saturday and Sunday at Patterson Community Stadium. PI file photo This year’s theme, “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back” will encourage participants to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember the loved ones lost to the disease and fight back against the disease. As of Monday, 34 teams were registered and 367 participants ready to walk the high school field. Organizers have collected 462 paid luminaria bags decorated in memory of those who have lost their lives to cancer and in honor of those who have survived. So far this year, 40 cancer survivors have signed up to walk in the relay and opening survivors’ lap. Those survivors include both adults and children, such as Noah Young, 11, who went for his four-year checkup this week. In another year, when Noah goes to the doctor again, he will be declared cancer free. His mother, Cheryl Young, is a co-captain with Kathy Mate of the team Journey To A Cure. “I’m looking forward to the Relay For Life this year,” Young said. “I’m hoping that survivors and their caretakers come out in strong numbers and enjoy some breakfast with us.” Gloria Pinedo, relay committee member, said the grand total pledged as of Monday was about $40,645 — $12,955 from online pledges and $25,290 offline, as well as $2,400 in team registration fees. Salvador said local people can still sign up for a team Saturday, beginning at 7 a.m. Some teams will have fundraisers throughout the day, and local residents can stop by and donate. “Folks are welcome to come down to the stadium and lend their support,” Salvador said. Volunteers and visitors will be entertained by bands such as the Tex-Mex group Ilusión Norteña, children’s dance groups, Portuguese folkloric dancers and others. Over the weekend, participants can remember the relay theme in the following ways: Celebrate Saturday will begin with a breakfast hosted by Patterson Rotary Club and Soroptimist International of Patterson. Survivors and their caregivers are invited to the breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cancer survivors can continue the celebration when they walk the first lap after the 10 a.m. opening ceremony. Paulette Gordon, co-captain with Janet Hohl of the team Rebels with a Cause, is excited about the upcoming relay. The team will provide cancer education, as well as fun for the kids. “I’m doing face painting, and our theme is hippies,” Gordon said. “Our mantra is peace, love, hope and cure.” Remember The message of “Hope” will turn to “Cure” during the luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. Saturday night. Participants can remember loved ones who have died from the disease. “Anyone interested can still be part of the luminary ceremony at 9 p.m. that evening,” Salvador said. “We invite everybody to attend that.” Fight back Relay participants can battle against cancer by collecting pledges to help fund research and education. Salvador said the committee is grateful for whatever local people can do to help. “Realizing the state of the economy, we urge the community to support the relay,” Salvador said. “Come out and join us." To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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