Like many people in Glenn County, Marlene Stillwell watched a loved one wage war against cancer.
Her mother battled ovarian cancer eight years before the disease claimed her life.
She was 59 years old.
“We’ve all been touched by cancer,” said Stillwell, a team captain for Glenn County Relay for Life.
When Stillwell got involved in the annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, she was amazed at how many others there were with similar stories, or who had fought the battle themselves.
Many survived; many didn’t, but Stillwell believes that health and longevity depends on early detection and successful treatment, the primary reason the Relay for Life has become so successful across the nation.
Stillwell and Relay for Life Chairwoman Lorri Pride gave a presentation about the 2014 event on Thursday to the Rotary Club of Willows.
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is the largest fundraising event in the country, and has more than 3,000 communities raising money to find the cure.
The Glenn County Relay for Life will be held May 31-June 1 at the Willows High School track.
Relay for Life is a 24-hour noncompetitive relay and walk-a-thon, which provides participants an opportunity to help fight against the disease, while honoring survivors and remembering loved ones lost.
“Our goal this year is to raise $75,000 and have 30 teams,” Pride said.
About 500,000 people die from cancer in the United States each year, according to the American Cancer Society, and about 1.5 million new cases will be diagnosed.
Those interested in forming a team, joining a team or returning for yet another year are encouraged to attend Thursday’s rally, the official kick-off for the Glenn County Relay for Life.
The rally is a time when the community can come together and celebrate the event happening in their community, Pride said.
The purpose of the rally is also to recruit teams, volunteers and committee members.
Now that the American Cancer Society has authorized the name change from Willows Relay for Life to Glenn County Relay for Life, Pride hopes to attract more participants from Orland, Hamilton City and other communities.
“This is truly a countywide event,” Pride said.
She is also looking for more nonprofit organizations and businesses to form teams.
There is no minimum amount of money teams are required to raise, but if teams of 15 each raised $100 per person, the 2014 Relay for Life would reach its goal, Pride said.
Fundraising also occurs the day of the event with food booths and raffles.
Relay for Life will get underway May 31 with the opening ceremony, which includes a message from a cancer survivor, and it will be cancer survivors who will take the first lap.
After the opening lap, individuals and teams will run or walk, with someone from the group filling out each segment of the 24-hour period.
There will be a free Northern Heat concert in the afternoon, along with contests and other wild activities to fill out the 24 hours.
The luminaria ceremony in the evening will be held to remember those who lost their battles with cancer.
Pride said fighting the disease and raising awareness has become something of a personal mission for the many people who participate, but being on a team is not required.
Individuals can come the day of the event and walk for the American Cancer Society as well, she said.
Know & Go
WHAT: Relay for Life Community Rally.
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
WHERE: Miravelle’s Italian Café, 130 N. Butte St., Willows.
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