Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Invited to Celebrate at Relay For Life

Are you a cancer survivor? Have you ever been told, “You have cancer”? Have you ever been a caregiver to someone with cancer? We want to honor, support, and celebrate YOU at Relay For Life!

The American Cancer Society’s free and family-friendly signature event, Relay for Life of the Santa Clarita Valley, takes place on Saturday, May 6, at Central Park from 9am-9pm with the Mardi Gras theme “Cirque du Cure.” Cancer survivors and caregivers are at the heart of the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives, and are celebrated each year as honored guests.

Survivors and caregivers are invited to come early at 8am to enjoy a light breakfast at Survivor Village, a dedicated area, where they can relax and enjoy complimentary snacks, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. From 9-11am they are pampered with free manicures, hair styling, and wig selection. All survivors attending receive a free goodie bag.

The Survivor Ceremony and Parade takes place at 11am, with survivors and caregivers walking the track as friends and family cheer from the sidelines. At the completion of the lap, community heroes such as veterans and healthcare workers congratulate survivors and caregivers ­­– “heroes to heroes” – and present them with special medals.

Throughout the day, activities include crafts, music, entertainment, and a photo booth. Survivors can place their handprints on the Wall of Hope, and decorate pinwheel flowers to decorate the Caregivers Garden Float that will lead the afternoon’s Mardi Gras Parade lap.

A Dessert Bar is provided in Survivor Village at 5pm before the inspirational Luminaria Ceremony at 7pm. This moving ceremony, lit by hundreds of luminaria bags, honors and remembers the many people who have faced cancer. Luminaria Bags can be purchased and decorated ahead of time or at the event to memorialize a loved one or celebrate a survivor, including a special silver Luminaria Bag to commemorate our 25^th anniversary.

Each year Relay For Life of the Santa Clarita Valley raises funds for research and programs to help cancer patients and their caregivers. Please invite friends and family currently living with cancer, those who have survived, and caregivers to attend Relay and join us in celebrating them. When we devote our time and energy to lead the fight against cancer, we become the voice of the American Cancer Society in our community.

Survivors and caregivers can register in advance at SCVRelay.org; or by emailing Laura Peach at [email protected]; or in person on the day of the event. This year’s Relay sponsor is UCLA Health. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/SCVRelay or www.SCVRelay.org., or contact Abby Smith at 661.855.4541 or [email protected].