Relay for Life brings Yumans together to fight cancer

Thousands of Yumans were ready to walk all night on a blustery Saturday evening at the 10th annual Yuma County Relay for Life.

Many who had won battles against cancer were on hand, but all had been touched in some way by the disease that kills more than 1,500 people per day, according to the American Cancer Society. Event chair Angel Weber said there were about 4,000 people involved last year, and organizers expected to surpass that this year.

"I think more and more people hear about it. They come, they see the event, they get involved and they enjoy it," she said. "Once you come, you never not come."

The opening ceremonies concluded with the survivors' lap, which is done only by those who have defeated or are currently battling cancer. Then the more than 50 teams have to continually have at least one member on the track and walking at all times until this morning.

Last year the event raised $114,000. Weber said about $133,000 had come in so far. "We're hoping for $200,000."

The money that is raised goes to the American Cancer Society to further the fight against cancer. Weber said most goes to research with some funds also spent on advocacy, education and patient services. Services available in Yuma include a cancer center, Reach to Recovery and a new program being put together called Road to Recovery that coordinates volunteers to drive patients to their medical appointments.

Weber said the walk continues overnight because it represents the darkness that cancer patients feel while dealing with the disease. It lasts until sunrise, which represents people going into remission.

This year's relay had a pirate theme. "We're going to make cancer walk the plank," Marc Paley of the American Cancer Society told the crowd during the opening ceremonies.

Weber said The Sun had raised the most money for the event.

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WHY THEY WALK

- Leslie Cannell: "For those who have cancer and are survivors of cancer. It's for a good cause."

- Robert Cannell: "Leslie had breast cancer and just got through the chemotherapy ... It's her second bout with it. The first time she had Hodgkin's Disease."

- Guadulupe Nisperos: "My father passed away (from cancer)."

- Clark Webb: "Especially now, we have two survivors in our office. You don't have to go far."

- Nancy Coffeen: "It touches everybody."

Webb and Coffeen work at The Dune Company and were walking for Team Rod Priest. The team was supporting Priest, an employee at the same company, who was diagnosed with renal cancer in March.