Are You Ready to Relay For Life?

By Martin Henderson

More than 20 teams will converge on Central Park on Saturday morning to take up their annual fight against cancer. 

The American Cancer Society's big fundraiser, the Relay for Life, gets under way at 9 a.m., with opening ceremonies. The 24-hour fundraiser, which will include locals walking the perimeter of the park throughout the night because "cancer never sleeps," will raise money for the organization. 

A number of activities are planned while at least one member from each team keeps the relay going around the clock, including music, a magic show, children's theater, martial arts, exercise, a movie and an interfaith celebration. The event's closing ceremony is to begin Sunday, 8:30 a.m.

A king and queen will be crowned at 6:30 p.m., Ryan Janics and Cathy Pollacio, and at 9 p.m. will be the reverent Luminaria ceremony and candlelight walk in remembrance of those who have died.  

The kids' zone includes bounce houses from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and other activities: Fun with Food, 1 p.m.; Hands on Science with Mrs. Desai, 2 p.m.; Kids Yoga with Lotus 7, 2:30 p.m.; Wood Shop, 3 p.m.

Here is the schedule, subject to change: 

Saturday, July 13
8 a.m.: Survivors' Breakfast, Survivor's Tent; vocalist Austin Gatus
9 a.m.: Opening Ceremony

• Welcoming remarks: Why we relay—Curt Stanley
• National Anthem—Alexander Papandrea
• Presentation of Colors—Troop 636
• Invocation—The Rev. Canon John H. Taylor
• RSM mayor comments—Tony Beall
• Keynote speaker—Ryan Oddo, survivor and pastor at The Bridge
• Tribute to Survivor and Caregivers—Geri Stanley
• Vocalist—Alexander Papandrea

9 a.m.: Luminaria sales (to 7 p.m. at American Cancer Society booths)
10:30 a.m.: Trombonists—Bones West
11 a.m.: Kids Zone Open
11:30 a.m.: Demonstration—David Kang Tae Kwon Do
12:30 p.m.: Vocalist and Guitar—Melissa and Jake
1:30 p.m.: Children's Theater—Show Tunes: Caught in the Limelight
2:30 p.m.: St. John's String Band
3:30 p.m.: Rock band—Electric
4:30 p.m.: Yoga for All with Lotus 7 Yoga
5:30 p.m.: Indie-Pop Band—Breach the Summit
6 p.m.: Kids Zone closes
6 p.m.: Campsite setup may begin
6:30 p.m.: Relay King and Queen Ceremony
7 p.m.: Kids Disco with DJ Jerry
7 p.m.: Opportunity Baskets Closing
7:45 p.m.: Magic Show—Mark A. Gibson
9 p.m.: Luminaria Ceremony and Walk

• David Hilal, West African Drums
• Daniella Kubiak, Santa Margarita Catholic vocalist
• Audrey Fankhanel, vocalist and reader
• Lauryn Pollaccia, reader
• Mikayla Wanders, reader
• Andrew Mendonca, reader
• Robin Cheney, speaker in honor of Kabrina
• Rocko Beall, guitarist

10:30 p.m.: Movie—Despicable Me
11 p.m.-6 a.m.: Quiet hours

Sunday, July 14
6:45 a.m.: Interfaith celebration—Nathan Armstrong, Mission Hills Church
7:30 a.m.: Tae Bo with Billy Blanks
8:30 a.m.: Closing ceremonies