For the past 41 years, the community has gathered to support each other in a fight against cancer, hosting their annual Relay For Life Fun Run at California Lutheran University.
Having experienced losing her mom to cancer and being a cancer survivor herself, Christy Warner, event leader, takes pride in organizing and putting together the Relay for Life every year.
“Well, fun fact, the day after this is over, we start planning for next year. Literally. So we’ve been on the radio. We’ve been in the newspaper, social media is big and we count on the high schools to help carry out the message,” Warner said.
Much of the event is supported by local clubs and businesses in the community as well as the county officers, firefighters and city officials.
“Well, the bottom line is it feels good to give back, everybody’s affected by cancer. Everybody knows I lost my mom, and it really takes a village,” Warner said.
As her 20th year walking in the relay, Rachel Blum, brain tumor survivor and volunteer for Temple Adot Elohim, has used her experience to help others.
“The temple involvement with the event is that several of us either are survivors or have lost people, so we are here to raise funds,” Blum said.
While the temple has raised the most donations this year, Blum notes that the donations require the commitment of many.
“We work really hard to get a lot of donations, and I’m very proud of everything that we’ve done to make our team so successful, and all the people that have put in a lot of hard hours to make this event work,” Blum said.
At one of the team booths at the event, Liam Muna, junior and president of Key Club at Newbury Park High School, encouraged passersby to throw water balloons at him in exchange for proceeds towards cancer research.
“We’ve been charging $6 for five balloons, and then $5 for three minutes [of] water guns. We made pretty good profits. [This event] benefits the community by just fundraising for cancer research and bringing everyone together to acknowledge the effects of cancer,” Muna said.
The Relay For Life fosters an opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in helping fight against cancer.
“This event will be going all day long. If the community wants to get involved, donate a prize. We’ve got a silent auction and raffles going on. Just lots of ways to give back,” Warner said.
People looking to support the fight against cancer can donate 24/7 to the American Cancer Society through their website.
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