History is being made this year as Mission Viejo celebrates its 20th anniversary of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. In a sea of purple, on Sat., Feb. 1, 2014 more than 100 guests, committee members and volunteers feasted on food donated by Bagels & Brew, Empanada Maker, Royal Donuts and Chick fil a. Wearing purple, the audience applauded the many survivors and caregivers.
The Kick-off featured cancer survivor, Heroes of Hope, Le Ann Taylor and Honorable City Councilmember Rhonda Reardon. Reardon warmly welcomed the guest while Taylor spoke of her survival with breast cancer.
Amanda Bassett, 2013 Co-Event Chair told the audience, “I relay in honor of my father who passed away from cancer. As we work toward finishing the fight and eliminating cancer in our community, I look forward to the day where cancer isn’t a diagnosis, but just a word in the dictionary next to cured.”
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Each year in Mission Viejo since 1994, an energetic, enthusiastic group of volunteers unite in their fight against cancer. They rally, plan parties to celebrate survivors and remember loved ones that lost their battles. All while raising money to fund programs to support neighbors, friends and loved ones through their fight with cancer.
We have walked tens of thousands of miles the past 19 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.
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In fact, Relay for Life of Mission Viejo is the #1 Relay in Orange County, a 5 Star Fight Back Relay and a 2013 Purple Pacesetter. In addition, The National American Cancer Society’s, Terry Zahn Award for Excellence in Communications/Marketing/Publicity was presented to Margot Ferron by ACS representative for Orange County, Cheryl Bartetzko. Three of these awards are given in the United States each year.
“Terry Zahn, was a TV anchor and news reporter in Virginia who produced national Relay for Life recruiting videos and he was a member of the Virginia Beach, VA, Relay for Life. Zahn, battled cancer in the 90s and shared his journey with his audience. In January 2000 he lost his battle from multiple myeloma, a form of bone cancer. The award is given in his memory,” explained Bartetzko.
“Niagara Falls Goes Purple” on June 2, 2013 to honor cancer survivors was just one of the many feats that Ferron, Co-Event Chair and Marketing Chair made a reality.
Ferron said, “One City, one Dream, 20 years of Relay, just imagine the possibilities, one City, one Dream, the next 20 years of Relay.
If you want to Fight Back against cancer you can join Relay for Life/ Mission Viejo, form a team, join a team or volunteer on the committee. For more information on the event go to www.mvrelay.org, www.facebook.com/mvrelay or twitter @mv_RelayForLife.
If you have any questions please call Margot Ferron, Publicity Chair and Event Chair 2013 at 949/309-1235, gomargotgo@aol.com.
