Hundreds to Relay for Cancer Awareness This Weekend

“Celebrate. Remember. Fight back.”

That’s what more than 300 community members will do during this weekend’s Relay for Life, a 24-hour walk/run for cancer awareness. The event is held annually in cities across the country to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

“It’s about all cancers. It’s not just breast cancer, it’s not just lung cancer — it benefits everyone,” said Elizabeth Crandall-Whittom, a team development co-chair for this year’s event. 

Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, more than 40 teams will camp out at the California School for the Deaf campus, located at 39350 Gallaudet Dr. A member from each team must remain on the track at all times because “cancer never sleeps.”

In addition to the relay, the event will feature special remembrance ceremonies, a kid’s camp, fundraising games, raffle prizes, activities, info booths and entertainment for the entire community. Teams will also be selling baked goods, crafts and other items for donations.

Among the main attractions at every Relay for Life is the luminaria ceremony. Luminarias are paper bag lanterns lit in honor of someone who has cancer or who has passed. The lanterns line the track, keeping it lit throughout the night.

“It’s a very moving ceremony,” Crandall-Whittom said.

Fighting back

Crandall-Whitton knows how important the Relay for Life is.

She started participating in eight years ago with her entire family. She lost her father to leukemia in 1999, with several friends diagnosed with breast and thyroid cancer.

She didn’t expect to be diagnosed with cancer herself.

In June 2011, Crandall-Whittom learned she had thyroid cancer.

By having participated in Relay for Life, she was already educated and exposed to a wealth of information and experiences, making it easier to process the news from the doctor.

“Participating in Relay really prepared me for my own diagnosis and treatment,” she said.

Crandall-Whittom underwent surgery just five days before Relay but insisted she participate. In a wheelchair, she and other brave community members went for a round in the Survivor’s Lap — a victory march for those who have endured their battle with cancer.

The fight isn’t over

Today, Crandal-Whittom is back on her feet, participating in Relay as a co-captain on the FUN Mother’s Club team.

She continues to fight for cancer awareness and promote Relay for Life.

Crandall-Whittom and her fellow organizers hope to raise $125,000 through Relay for Life this year.

Last year, the community raised about $100,000, according to Crandall-Whittom. And they’re already ahead of where they were this time last year, she said. As of last week, the local Relay had already raised nearly $45,000 toward cancer research via participant registration and fundraising events.

“We definitely would like to have more people sign up,” Crandall-Whittom said.

Organizers are especially trying to get more cancer survivors to participate and honor at the event.

“We treat them as VIPs,” Crandall-Whitton said. 

If you’d like to join the celebration, there’s still time to register. Online registration will be open until the event begins, with on-site registration available Saturday morning.

To register your team for Relay for Life or learn more about the event, visit the Fremont Relay for Life website. A committee and team captain meeting will also be held Tuesday night at the Washington Hospital Auditorium.