Agoura Relay touches home

Record turnout marks annual charity event


JOHN LOESING/Acorn Newspapers THEY'RE OFF- The 2008 Agoura Relay for Life cancer walk begins with a survivors' lap at Willow Elementary School. More than 1,600 area residents took part in the two-day walk-athon.

JOHN LOESING/Acorn Newspapers THEY’RE OFF- The 2008 Agoura Relay for Life cancer walk begins with a survivors’ lap at Willow Elementary School. More than 1,600 area residents took part in the two-day walk-athon.


As events unfolded last weekend at the fifth annual Relay for Life fundraiser in Agoura Hills, it seems everybody had a story to tell about how cancer has touched their lives.

Since “cancer never sleeps,” neither did the participants. The motto for the 24hour, walkaround-the-clock fundraiser was “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.”

More than 1,600 area residents took part and raised $163,000 for American Cancer Society programs. It was the biggest turnout the Agoura Relay has seen.

Simi Valley resident Selena Spenard said she came to the event at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills to remember her grandfather, Franz LaVallee, who died of prostate cancer.

Ashley Hatcher came from Oxnard. Hatcher’s mother, Kathleen Hatcher, survived breast and thyroid cancer, and her grandmother, Florence Lojewski, battled uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer.

Activities began early Saturday as more than 90 “teams” staked out their campsites and pitched their tents.

“It was amazing,” said Laura Helgeson, the Relay co-chair along with Jeannine Lee.

“I’m just really happy that so many members of the community were able to get involved,” Helgeson said.

This year’s Relay raised $18,000 more than last year and, according to Helgeson, “The books don’t close until August.”

The city of Agoura Hills plans to sponsor a golf tournament to raise additional funds for the American Cancer Society. Other companies plan to continue the fundraising as well, Helgeson said.

Several new programs were launched this year, including a “survivor’s lounge” that was decked out with purple couches and chairs. Purple is the color the American Cancer Society uses for its awareness campaign. Harp music, special guest speakers, a cooking demonstration and a luncheon were offered at the lounge, which was set up inside the Willow multipurpose room.

Later, the room was transformed into “Club Cure,” a nightclub for teens with a live band, disc jockey, neon art and disco balls.

A kid’s camp was added this year and offered activities for children in preschool through eighth grade. Attractions included a scavenger hunt and a pajama party.

As darkness fell, a luminaria, or candle-lighting ceremony, encouraged people to remember the loved ones they’d lost to cancer and those who continue to

battle the disease.

A sign with the large letters “HOPE” stood to the side of the main stage. Many in the audience were moved to tears. “It’s just so meaningful that so many people gather here to support, contribute and honor survivors and those who are no longer with us,” said

Agoura Hills Mayor John Edelston, whose sister-in-law, Barbara Alaynick,

died of breast cancer in 2006.

Helpful signs were positioned throughout the grounds. One sign revealed a startling statistic, saying that about 3,000 adolescents will start smoking every day. Walkers navigated the camping area with the help of directional signs. One pathway was named “Feel Better Boulevard.”

Several teams representing Agoura High School participated in the event.

Jason Oppenheim, 16, came to remember his grandfather, Willie Lerner, who died of cancer last year. Shayne Miller, 15, said both of his grandmothers had battled breast cancer but survived. Kevin Thompson, 15, remembered the stress of watching his aunt battle- and win- her fight against breast cancer. “It was very traumatic for me and my family,” Kevin said.

Natalie Cox, an 11-year-old Lindero Canyon Middle School student, is worried about her aunt.

“She has stage four breast cancer,” Natalie said. “It’s been hard.”

“We’re all touched by cancer in one way or the other,” Helgeson said. “What the American Cancer Society is doing is so worthwhile, helping so many people in so many ways.”


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by WENDY PIERRO and JOHN LOESING Acorn Newspapers

Photos by WENDY PIERRO and JOHN LOESING Acorn Newspapers

 

 

 

 

 

 

MELODIC- A  lone  bagpiper performs during Relay for Life.

MELODIC- A lone bagpiper performs during Relay for Life.

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