American Cancer Society Relay For Life This Weekend in Danville

By Jane McInnis

Relay for Life will kick-off its 24-hour event with the first lap beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at Monte Vista High.

There's a wide range of events planned for the relay, from a murder mystery puzzle to a cross-dressing relay lap. Late-night pizza deliveries and all-night coffee brewing will help keep relayers energized.

Lori Garcia is serving her third year as event chair in Danville. Garcia lost her father to lymphoma when she was 18, and mother to lung cancer six years ago.

“Since cancer is 24 hours, we walk 24 hours,” Garcia said in an email.

So far 16 teams and 109 participants are registered, tracking a little below donations from last year, but Garcia hopes to get that number up by getting the word out this week.

The Luminaria Ceremony begins at dusk, lining the track with luminaries marked with the name of cancer survivor or one who lost their battle. 

All money earned at the event goes to The American Cancer Society to pay for research grants, free wigs for cancer patients, mileage for people traveling far to get treatments and much more.

Sponsors from the community are pitching in, with coffee for Saturday's event provided by Peet's Coffee in Alamo, midnight pizza deliveries donated by Extreme Pizza in Alamo, and burritos donated by Danville's El Nido Mexican Restaurant. 

In addition, Pyramid Brewery in Walnut Creek is donating 10 percent of all sales Monday, July 22 to the American Cancer Society.

For more information, visit Relay For Life Danville’s Facebook Page or their website.