Sunday shoppers at the Westfield Valencia Town Center had the unique opportunity to sign up for an upcoming event hosted by the American Cancer Society. “Relay for Life”, is an annual fundraiser supporting those in the fight against cancer.
Photo by Sabrina Alvarez. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life Rally, Banner, Westfield Valencia Town Center Sunday April 24th, 2022.
“We’re looking to raise $225,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS), that money will go towards cancer research, it’ll go towards services provided by the ACS and it’ll go towards giving cancer patients a better quality of life.” said Brad Peach, the Event Chair for the Santa Clarita Valley Relay for Life.
The Relay Rally, put together by ACS volunteers, included several opportunities for mall-goers to participate as well as support the cause. Kids could stop by and decorate “hope capes”, which consisted of old Relay for Life t-shirts. Face painting was also available along with a Luminaria station, open for donations to honor those who lost the battle with cancer
Photo by Sabrina Alvarez markers for kids to decorate Hope Capes at Rally for Life, by The American Cancer Association. Sunday April 24th, 2022.
“No matter what, we just want to spread awareness, we want to make it known that there’s help and a grand support system for those fighting cancer,” said Abby Smith, the ACS Development Mmanager for Santa Clarita.
Kicking off May 14th at Central Park, “Relay for Life”, is hopeful for massive participation. The rally at Westfield Town Center is just one of four events the ACS has put together to promote the Relay happening in May.
This being the 24th Relay for Life in Santa Clarita, the ACS is hopeful to reel in participants. Coming off the back end of COVID-19 restrictions, overall participation has seen a significant decline over the past few years.
Though restricted, ACS never stopped Relaying. 2020 and 2021 Relays were held virtually, fundraisers were still in full swing even with the lockdown.
“It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t operate at full speed these past years, although we held online Relays it’ll never be the same as coming together as a community for an excellent organization and just having a day of fun”, said Brad Peach the Event Chair for ACS.
Photo by Sabrina Alvarez. Poster by the registration desk at Rally for Life by The American Cancer Association, Sunday April 24th, 2022.
Having cancer is hard, finding help shouldn’t be. That’s ACS’s motto, they live up to it through their community events and several outreach programs. Cancer is a lonely battle, The American Cancer Society wants to make it known that you are not alone.
Signing up for the Relay is a click of a button away, just go to scvrelay.org. You’re also able to register by phone by calling the National Cancer Center Information Hotline at (800)-227-2345.
