The roaring 20’s are back and that can mean only one thing to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Mission Viejo. It was time to jazz it up and celebrate 20 years of Relay, honor our loved ones who are currently fighting cancer and those who have survived, plus salute our caregivers.
The event took place at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, 92692. It was free to all cancer survivors, caregivers, their families and friends.
More than 150 people gathered at the infamous “Sheila B’s Supper Club” to eat, feast and dance the night away. They came in flapper dresses, pearls, boas, bow ties, fedora hats, pin-striped suits and shoes so shined you could see your reflection in them.
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They emulated the Jazz Age in dress and over the top antics with Keystone cops ……arresting revelers drinking punch. Sandra Casado, owner of the Dance Palace got everyone to their feet by teaching them several 20s dances.
Smells of fresh pastas, chicken and marinara filled the air as volunteers from Mission Viejo High School served up the perfect pastas, meatballs, salads, fruits and cake generously donated by Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, Chick fil a, the new, High Park Tap House, Flippin Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cake and Walgreens.
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Later, loot in the form of gift certificates from Elements, Bagels & Brew and Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar were raffled. Guests were also given a coupon for a free, chicken sandwich at Chick fil a.
However, not everything for Relay For Life is sunshine and roses. Sheila Boswell, co-chair Survivor Committee, was recently told that she has cancer again. In 2012, Boswell battled a rare, aggressive Stage 4 appendiceal cancer. She had a hysterectomy, appendectomy, colon resection and six months of chemotherapy.
April this year Boswell was experiencing symptoms in the same area and went through tests, scans and a laparoscopy only to discover the cancer has returned. She is currently undergoing six months of aggressive chemotherapy to counteract this aggressive cancer.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room while Boswell, (otherwise known as Sheila B’s Supper Club) courageously spoke about having cancer for the second time.
“I am being held up by so many and the most passionate of my caregivers are my boys and my husband, Andrew. My goodness, we have been through a lot in 31 years of marriage,” Boswell said in her British accent.
“Not always liking each other, I can tell you, particularly through our boys’ teen years. .Something I have to say that may surprise people, cancer may be a huge black cloud, but there is a silver lining around that cloud. Because of cancer our marriage has deepened. I am more in love with my man than I have ever been. There, I said it. Thank you, cancer!”
Flickering candles, cake and the Relay committee singing “Happy Anniversary” brought an abundance of jubilation to the Roaring 20s Survivor and Caregiver Dinner/Dance.
Please join us on June 7, 2014 as our community continues to fight against cancer, create awareness, and raise money to turn that awareness into support for cancer victims, improved therapies and a cure.
For more information or to register for 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 at 949/309-1235, gomargotgo@aol.com.
