Let’s GET Ready to Relay! See you on the Track- Margot Ferron

The weather took a break long enough for The American Cancer Society’s, 2013 Relay for Life of Mission Viejo, “In It, To Win It,” to kick- off on Thurs., Jan. 24 at 6 pm at the Norman P. Murray Community Center. The event celebrated cancer survivors, remembered loved ones who lost their battles to cancer and caregivers.  

Garth Wyckoff, MVTV News, host/reporter/producer, was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies for the sports-themed event open to anyone interested in participating in Mission Viejo’s 24-hour-overnight walk that will be held on June 1 and 2 at Saddleback College.

The program featured cancer survivor, Heroes of Hope, Joelle Kearney and Honorable Mayor Rhonda Reardon.  Reardon warmly welcomed the guests while Kearney spoke of her survival to bone cancer at the age of 13.  

“Our goal is to recruit more than 50 teams and  honor more than 100 survivors at the opening ceremony of Relay for Life in June, fight against cancer and raise more than $113,000 this year,”  Steve Bell, Fight Back committee chairperson told the crowd. 

Tables were set-up with information about various aspects of relay.  At each table participants could get their scorecards stamped for an opportunity to win prizes.  

More than 150 guests, committee members and volunteers feasted on four varieties of pizza from Oggis, various scrumptious Buffalo wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and tasty sandwiches from Jersey Mike’s.   Wearing their favorite sports team’s jerseys, the audience applauded the many survivors and caregivers. 

We have walked tens of thousands of miles the past 18 years, found rides for cancer patients to and from appointments, lit hundreds of thousands of luminarias around our track and filled out thousands of fight back pledges.  In fact, Relay for Life of Mission Viejo  was recognized for raising $2 million dollars.  

If you want to Fight Back against cancer, you can join Relay for Life/ Mission Viejo, form a team or join a team by going to mvrelay.org.