Cancer walk galvanizes the community
Neighborhood Focus
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

READY TO GO- Relay for Life members send out a rally cry. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers

Whether it's a family member who has died, or a friend who is fighting the disease, everyone seems to have been affected by cancer at some point in their lives.

Last week, organizers hosted a kick-off event for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, which is scheduled for May 3 and 4 at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills.

The festive event held in Willow's multipurpose room belied the fact that cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease.

Participants were asked to stand if they, a family member or a friend had ever been diagnosed with one of the many forms of cancer. Everybody in the room stood, giving proof to the widespread nature of the disease.

Each year the Cancer Society sponsors 24-hour relays throughout the nation to raise money for treatment, research, education and other programs aimed at saving lives. The all-day, all-night walkathon brings cancer survivors, family members and supporters together in a celebration of life.

At least one person from every team must walk the track at all times during the 24-hour period because, as the organizers point out, "cancer never sleeps."

The theme of this year's relay is the Olympics, and the rallying cry is "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back."

"For me and my family it's very personal," said John Edelston, Agoura Hills mayor.

Barbara Alaynick, Edelston's sister-in-law died in 2006 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

Last year, the Agoura Hills team was honored as the top overall fundraiser after collecting more than $21,000 for the American Cancer Society.

At this year's kickoff the cancer survivors were recognized with a victory lap around the Willow Elementary room.

Missy Karjala told the group that her story began with a cancer diagnosis 14 years ago.

"I felt as though I had turned white," as Karjala recalled the moment she found out she had the disease. "Everything in my so-called typical life changed forever."

Karjala said her family gave her the strength to fight cancer. When her parents visited from Arkansas she said she expected to open the door "to a flood of tears." Instead, her mother asked her if she was ready to "fight this thing."

"My mom's strength was a huge blessing," Karjala said. The moment was so powerful that she enlisted a pledge from her family and friends to not cry in her presence. "I needed every bit of strength and humor," she said.

Karjala participated in her first Relay for Life last year and will walk with a team again this year.

Garry Galvan, Willow principal, revealed how how cancer had touched his life. Galvan's mother was recently diagnosed with colon cancer.

"What she does know is that she wants to fight (the disease)," Galvan said. "She wants to spend more time with her children." He said his mother will be a survivor.

Also playing an important role are caregivers. They're encouraged to be persistent in their questions posed to doctors and other service providers.

Jenni Campbell, director of team development and sponsorships, spoke about caring for her godson, Logan, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 14. "I am here as a caregiver and one of the biggest honors we have as people is to partner with people who have cancer."

Campbell said Logan was an "amazing kid," but that he died on Sept. 9, 2007.

Youth co-chair Alyssa Burns said in 2005 and 2006 there were 26 teams in the relay. By 2007, participation had swelled to 60 teams, Burns said.

Twenty-five cancer survivors participated in the event in 2005. Last year, 80 survivors had joined a team for the all-night walk.

The amount of money raised has also increased. In 2005, the Agoura Relay for Life took in $25,000 and in 2006 the event raised $92,000. Last year, more than $172,000 was collected from the teams and other donors.

For further information on forming a team or participating as a sponsor, contact event chair Laura Helgeson at (818) 3718294 or email her at laura4relayagoura@yahoo.com.

Acorn Bits

Agoura Relay for Life will host its second team captain meeting of the year 7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 20 in room A-1 at Agoura High School, 28545 Driver Ave.

Community members interested in developing or being part of a team are encouraged to attend.

For more information, visit www.events.cancer.org, or email Ling Wu at sjrelay@yahoo.com.