This past weekend Grand Terrace High School played host to Colton’s annual Relay for Life. Due to Colton High School’s field being under renovations the Relay for Life was moved to GTHS. The field is just a bit smaller but was still able to accommodate the large outcome of the event.
The Relay for Life is thrown by the local community and the American Cancer Society. It is a fundraising event where teams are created by members and each of it’s members take turns walking around the designated track.
The event lasts for 24 hours. During this time frame all teams must have at least one member on the track at all times. This action is to help represent that cancer never sleeps and those who suffer from cancer never stop because they’re tired.
While each team has a member walking the track, the rest of the team has a camp site set up along the track. With each team they host a table where they try to sell raffle items and miscellaneous objects. The goal is to raise as much money as possible so that the proceeds may go as a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Throughout the 24-hour period the Relay for Life has a schedule of events that keeps everyone thriving and motivated to walk their laps and raise money. This year they had DJs’ such as DJ Abel, DJ Trouble, and DJ Mischief, playing tunes for everyone to dance and walk to. Along with the DJs’ they also had live bands such as Sobak Band, Smooth Groove Band, and Jessica Castellanos performing for everyone.
In addition to the live entertainment they host an array of special events. One of those was the butterfly release. Beautiful butterflies were passed out amongst all the participants and were released during the releasing ceremony.
Shortly after the releasing ceremony they held the survivor and caregiver ceremony. If you were there to witness this ceremony it was truly a beautiful and highly emotional one. All the survivors of cancer lined up along one side with their caregivers stood opposite of them on the opposing line.
During the ceremony a beautiful and touching poem was recited, and the gift of a rose was given from survivor to caregiver. One recipient was Connie Ingram. She is the caregiver and mother to survivor Rhonda Crayton. Rhonda has been diagnosed with cancer twice in the last three years and has come back fighting as a two-time survivor.
In walking along the track and stopping by various booths, participants were able to meet and share their stories with everyone. The Colton High and Colton Middle schools, “Colton Pride Club” was in attendance with their large wooden lettering displaying “Colton Pride.”
City News Group's very own community writer Pete Petersen was in attendance at the event as well. He and his team, For the Love of Darlene, were set up and taking their turns walking the track in honor of Darlene Petersen. Darlene had been diagnosed with cancer years ago but unexpectedly passed away in 2017.
Another touching story that was on display was “Mary’s Virtue.” This was their third year taking part in the Relay for Life. Mary was diagnosed and passed two years later. Her daughter Gina said, “we’ve all been affected by cancer and it’s just very comforting to be amongst everyone here.”
Each team has on display such a large variety of items for sale and raffle. Some were raffle bikes, selling necklaces, bracelets, sports memorabilia, and one team, Kackers Team 1 + 2 were raffling off a full-on party which included chair rentals and a jumper.
Enthusiasm and motivation could be seen from all parts of this event. Along the track hung banners from various teams. Each of the banners either display the teams name or the teams name with all its cancer effected members.
One team that had a few banners hanging for their members was team No Excuses. When we sat down to listen to their story and history we were extremely touched and in awe. This was their 13th year participating in the Relay for Life with their team members exceeding over 40 people since the very first year.
The team was created by Mary Ramirez and Josie Reese, both of whom battled cancer and have been friends since they were in kindergarten. Unfortunately, this was their first year taking part in the relay without Josie who unexpectedly passed away in 2017. However, this only inspired the team members more because they wanted to do this for her, as well as the other 10 members who have passed from cancer.
The love could be felt pouring out of each campsite and everyone in attendance. The kindness from the teams never ended and the enthusiasm and motivation came from all to those who walked the relay.
One of the highlights of the Relay for Life was the Luminaria Ceremony. This ceremony was beautiful and touching. During this ceremony everyone lit a Luminaria that represented a loved one who has been touched by cancer, a life taken by cancer, a survivor of cancer, or support to someone who was still battling cancer. It was such a powerful ceremony that gave so many of the participants an opportunity to grieve, provide comfort and see hope for the future.
The Relay for Life Colton is held every year and continues to show it’s support to those affected by cancer. The money raised at these events are all donated to the American Cancer Society so that it can help in funding with groundbreaking cancer research, critical patient care services, education and prevention initiatives, and so much more.
Each team raises their own amount of money so that it may be donated to the American Cancer Society. Some teams make hundreds and others make thousands. No matter the amount, all teams are proud to be able to contribute money and dedicate their to such a noble cause without ever hesitating.
Every single person at this event has been affected by cancer. Whether it was them personally, or a loved one, they were all there to celebrate the lives of those who survived, those who have been affected by it and of those who have passed. It is an event to honor and celebrate everyone. The love that is displayed here can be felt from miles away.
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