Relay for Life Raises Nearly $30,000 at La Mesa Middle School Walk

Nineteen teams with more than 200 walkers took part in this weekend’s 24-hour Relay for Life at La Mesa Middle School, organizers said Monday.

“Even the odd weather could not dampen the spirits of our teams and walkers this year,” said Rachelle Carvajal, who handled publicity for the overnight event targeting cancer—a disease that never sleeps. “Between our great entertainment and on-site fundraisers, there was a great sense of community.”

Carvajal said the walkers were just short of their goal of $30,000—which goes to the American Cancer Society.

She said the top fundraising team Saturday and Sunday was Doris’ Dashers with  $3,465 credited to the team on the La Mesa event’s website. The team comprised Shirin Mara, David Cessna, Rose Chabrow, Rachel Dauod, Lauren Gray, David Mara, Otto Turley, Tanya Turley and Nicole Vasil

The top participant was Otto Turley, who raised $1,925.

The Dashers said on their site: “We are walking this year to remember and honor an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Doris Albina Turley. She bravely fought lung cancer for three years and will be greatly missed. She was a beautiful and strong woman who would be so proud to see her family and friends join together to continue her battle.”

Carvajal said the event was “incident-free this year.”

“Outside of the occasional toddler meltdown, we did well,” she said.

Relay For Life began in 1985 when colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordy Klatt ran and walked around a track in Tacoma, WA, for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since Klatt’s first effort, Relay For Life has grown to one of the world’s largest moments to end the disease. Every year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities around the country unite for this event against cancer.

Barbara Allen was the relay chairwoman for La Mesa, and Michelle Gonzales Lopez was the Cancer Society contact.

This year’s event outdid last year’s La Mesa’s Relay For Life, which attracted around 15 teams.

Carvajal thanked sponsors and contributors and said: “We all look forward to a great 2012 Relay for Life La Mesa.”