BAKERSFIELD, CA-- The 2014 Relay For Life came to a close Sunday morning, with participants taking to the track for one last lap. More than 1,500 cancer survivors and 335 teams took part in the event and raised $1,135,485.50 for cancer research. Organizers said it is the eleventh year in a row that Relay For Life has raised over a million dollars.
Patsy Romero said she has benefited from the research Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society funds.
"It's given me hope,” Romero said. “ I am currently taking a research drug that was discovered through ACS funding and that drug is keeping my cancer from returning."
Teams were asked to keep at least one walker on the track when the relay started Saturday morning. For Bakersfield resident Shane Lucey, it was a test of endurance.
"Right at the end it was 45 and a half miles when I decided to call it quits," Lucey said.
Salomon Martinez Jr. who is from Sacramento brought his family down to the relay as a way to show respect to the family members he has lost to the disease. Martinez Jr. and his family placed glow sticks in bag with names of loved ones on them. It was part of ceremony called The Luminaria.
"We are showing what the void is in our hearts and hopefully that will remind others around us that the glow that should be in every heart,” said Martinez Jr.
Even though the 2014 relay is over, the American Cancer Society is in constant need of volunteers. To find out how you can help, visit their website at www.cancer.org
Patsy Romero said she has benefited from the research Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society funds.
"It's given me hope,” Romero said. “ I am currently taking a research drug that was discovered through ACS funding and that drug is keeping my cancer from returning."
Teams were asked to keep at least one walker on the track when the relay started Saturday morning. For Bakersfield resident Shane Lucey, it was a test of endurance.
"Right at the end it was 45 and a half miles when I decided to call it quits," Lucey said.
Salomon Martinez Jr. who is from Sacramento brought his family down to the relay as a way to show respect to the family members he has lost to the disease. Martinez Jr. and his family placed glow sticks in bag with names of loved ones on them. It was part of ceremony called The Luminaria.
"We are showing what the void is in our hearts and hopefully that will remind others around us that the glow that should be in every heart,” said Martinez Jr.
Even though the 2014 relay is over, the American Cancer Society is in constant need of volunteers. To find out how you can help, visit their website at www.cancer.org