 A participant at last year’s event examines the assembled luminaria dedicated to cancer victims. |
Plans for Relay For Life, Los Altos’ annual fund-raising activity for the American Cancer Society, are now well under way. This year’s event is scheduled for June 24-25 at Los Altos High School.
During the event, teams walk in relay fashion around the track at the high school. Last year more than 1,200 walkers participated, according to Jeanne MacVicar, event chairperson, who hopes for increased community involvement this year.
Organizers hope 80 teams will participate; 60 teams have already pledged to walk. Teams are formed through a variety of associations among friends, families and co-workers.
The teams Altera’s Preamble for a Cure and Marlene’s Mavericks both formed in support of a cancer survivor. Other teams comprise neighbors, such as Team Malawi and the new Valencia Neighborhood Team.
Debra Schlueter, president of the Los Altos Village Association and captain of the Village Idiots, said she loves the sense of camaraderie Relay For Life creates.
“It’s just something that I need to do, for myself and for our community,” she said.
The prospect of overnight camping at school has proved irresistible to many youth, and teams have formed at many local schools.
Last year, the Starfire Youth Fighters serenaded other walkers at night. This year, games and activities play on the “Oh! The Places We’ll Go!” theme.
Team fund-raising is more creative and inspiring than ever. Full Thread Ahead is pioneering a Knit-A-Round program invented by store owner Hollis Bischoff. “While others are walking, we knit, making caps for chemo patients,” she said. This year, the store hopes to raise $10,000 by making 100 “chemo caps.”
Maltby’s Restaurant hosts “Celebrity Bartending Nights” to support the cause. Maltby’s owner James Maltby said he participates because “it just seems that everywhere you turn, there are familiar faces, friends and neighbors, who have been affected by cancer. It’s impossible to ignore that. How can we not Relay?”
For more information, visit www.losaltosrelay.com or call 917-7979.
