It was six years ago that Julie Young of Canyon Country, lost a friend’s mother to pancreatic cancer. Shortly after that, Young was diagnosed with cancer herself. Today she has a powerful passion for an annual Santa Clarita event called the Relay for Life.
It is a 24-hour trek where walkers take turns circling a Santa Clarita track raising money for the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Her team is called the Summer Santas in honor of her friend’s mom because of her strong love of Christmas. Last year, Young’s team raised $15,000.
“The most rewarding part of the Relay for Life is getting together with the caregivers and survivors and being those who have lost their loved ones to cancer,” says Young, who is co-captain of the Summer Santas.
Last year, 85 teams walked and raised $445,000. Team captains are meeting monthly for the June event. Topics covered include team goal setting, ideas for fund-raising and information on how the event benefits cancer research and treatments. Companies, organiztions, families, neighborhoods and groups of friends are invited to organize teams. Everybody is welcome.
“I love the Luminaria ceremony held at night after the walk. Bags with candles are lit in honor of those battling cancer, those who’ve died from cancer and those who’ve been caregivers. Then we carry candles and walk around the track to music,” says Young,
“It’s tearful and solemn but, very uplifting.”
The ACS is a nationwide, community-based volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. If you want to attend the team captain meetings, they are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Valencia Hills Clubhouse, 24060 Oakvale Drive, Valencia. This year’s relay will take place at Central Park in Santa Clarita on June 2 and 3.
For further information about the relay, log on to www.scvrelay.org or call 661-298-0886 or email anita.Dominguez@cancer.org. Visit www.cancer.org for cancer information or call 800-ACS-2345.