Volunteers Take First Steps to Combat Cancer

Loma Linda’s Relay for Life started a little differently than most others.

In this Adventist town, the event started 7 p.m. Saturday by glow of electrically powered lights and candles, and not during in the morning hours. But the goal was the same, to raise money, raise awareness, celebrate life and have fun.

The event is one of many relays presented by the American Cancer Society. It runs through 6:30 p.m. tonight, is being held at the sport field. It kicked off with a Luminaria walk, prayer and an acapella singing of Amazing Grace.

Walking teams and individuals raised close to $15,000 as of Saturday night said Mariana Gonzalez, event chair. They are hoping to raise $26,000 to double the amount raised last year. But that’s not the main focus, organizers said.

“Really it is a community event," Gonzalez said. “Like I’ve told everyone, it’s not really just about the dollars, it’s about getting awareness out and letting the community know that there are a group of people who care about our survivors, for those that we’ve lost and for those we continue to battle for.”

This year’s teams are:

FIGHT FOR LIFE! Captain: Mariana Gonzalez

IMPACT Captain: Ryan Cochrane

Kids Make A Diffrence Captain: Jesse Menchaca

Marg & Fel's Angels Captain: Stephanie Torres

Team Loma Linda Ins. Captain: Anita Nava

TEAM BOOGIE ;@) Captain: Rachel Villalobos

Team CHEMOsabe Captain: Tina Laird

Team Courage Captain: Laura Rodriguez

Walk by Faith Captain: Stephanie Mahe

It’s not too late to join the event. Everyone in and around is encouraged to participate. Below is a list of today’s activities.

• 7 a.m., Wake-Up and Stretch: Lebed Method exercise class with Tamie Vasquez, Fight Back Chair at Stage
• 8 a.m., Survivor's breakfast at survivor tent and Team Spirit lap with spirit sticks
• 8:30 a.m., Celebrity impersonation lap
• 9 a.m., Survivor's ceremony introduction by and speech by Renita Wickes, Hero of Hope, ACS Lead Volunteer at Stage
• 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Kid's Camp with Audrey Harrison and children's activity center for sports, crafts, and games
• 9:15 a.m., Dove release at stage
• 9:30 a.m., Survivor's honor lap with banner - survivor picture
• 10:00 a.m., Children's lap with favorite costume
• 10:30 a.m., Caregivers lap
• 10:30 a.m., Limbo contest at stage
• 11:30 a.m., Scavenger hunt meet at stage
• 12:15 p.m., Water balloon fight at center field
• 1:15 p.m., Three-legged race
• 1:45 p.m., Crazy hat lap
• 2:15 p.m., Squirt gun cool down lap
• 2:45 p.m., Macarena lap
• 3:15 p.m., Backwards lap
• 3:45 p.m., Popsicle Lap - Mariana will provide popsicles to walkers
• 4:15 p.m., Trash pick-up lap. Please help tidy up
• 4:45 p.m., Super hero lap: Dress like your favorite super hero
• 5:15 p.m., CELEBRATE lap. Relay parade all teams and participants on track with favorite costume
• 5:45 p.m., REMEMBER Lap. A lap to honor those special loved ones. Walkers are encouraged to attach a picture of them on a shirt or wear something that reminds you of them.
• 6 p.m., Fight Back ceremony with Tamie Vasquez, Fight Back chairwoman
• 6:30 p.m., Closing ceremonies
• 7 p.m., Close of Relay For Life Loma Linda