June 1, 2006

Another successful year for Willow Glen's Relay For Life

By Carol Rosen
Editor

This year's sixth annual Willow Glen Relay For Life exceeded its goal of $80,000 in donations by more than $20,000. After expenses, the group that annually raises money for research and to help those suffering from the disease, donated $102,000 to the American Cancer Society, nearly double what was raised last year. The group netted nearly $111,000.

Sara Stumpf, age 2, makes a luminaria bag in honor of her grandma in Children's Tent sponsored by Family Routes (www.familyroutes.com). Photo by Carol Rosen

Linda Baxter, who was serving her second year as chair of the event, noted that there were more young people and more teams (31) than in the past. It all seemed to come together this year, she said, "we had a lot more fund-raising through the teams and the Empower Team raised a lot at the event." She also said the community appeared to be more involved this year, and "that really helped."

This year's Relay featured the largest attendance for the closing event, Baxter said. "There were large numbers participating in the final lap. Most people stuck through until the end," she said.

Whatever the source of the funds, everyone also seemed to have a good time. Prior to the event, the Willow Glen All Stars, who began coming as a small team five years ago, are now juniors at Willow Glen High School, raised nearly $1,000 prior to the relay. While the team started out with just a few members, this year it numbered nearly 15. This year the team's theme was flamingos.

The Willow Glen All Stars, all juniors at Willow Glen High, gather for a photo to celebrate their fifth Relay For Life. Pictured wearing pink T-shirts to show their flamingo theme are, front row from left: Tracy Davis, Rebecca Murday, Amelia Zahra, Kathryn Cremer, Emily Mello, Tiffany Corpez; back row: Robby Paine, Kyle Schroeder, Daniel O'Shaughnessy, Jimmy Hugnh, Chad Camp, Grant Morrow and Anthony Rodriguez. Photo by Carol Rosen

"In order to raise money, we've been flocking lawns [with pink flamingos], and people have to give a donation for their removal," said Anthony Rodriguez. His mother, Sherry Rodriguez, is a six-year staff veteran for the Relay.

Baxter noted that team sizes averaged about 10 to 12 members with some teams consisting of as many as 25 people and others about five or six.

Kathleen Pizzo, also a long time staff member, was taking it a bit easier this year. Her cancer has returned and she's going through chemotherapy. Several teams were walking the track for her and during the survivor walk there were a number of people carrying signs of support. "Kathleen is doing well. Her spirits are up and we are optimistic for her," said Baxter.

And, Amy Goldsbury, a colon cancer survivor, was also walking the track with the survivors. This year, however, she decided not to spend the entire 24-hours, since her second child was due to be born in a few days.

After the opening ceremonies and the survivor lap and the parade of teams, the entertainment started. Live performers included the Mary Martz Dancers, Janae Jackson and Denis D'Aoust. S.J. Sharkie visited. Family Routes, a local business firm, sponsored a kids’ area containing a jump house and crafts including planters for hope and kids' luminaria bags.

Sherry and Anthony Rodriguez

Among the other things happening was a Hope Banner that everyone attending was urged to sign. A sandy area was named Melanoma Beach and offered sunscreen to everyone. A bagpiper piped during the luminaria ceremony and the fire department offered a demonstration.

Other activities included jazzercise, a water balloon toss, a hula-hoop contest, poker games, all night movies, midnight pizza madness and pie. Once the final ceremonies were concluded there was a balloon release.

Baxter, whose two-year stint as chair ended this year, plans to remain active. She says it's a good idea to find a new chair, who has new ideas and urges anyone with a tiny bit of time to come and help. "We are always looking for more people to be involved," she said.

This year's team consisted of Baxter, Mary Keenan as team recruitment chair, Pam Greene as Luminaria chair, Debbie Evans and Sherry Rodriguez shared duties as survivorship and registration/accounting co-chairs, Georgia Ladd was in charge of the opening ceremony and mission delivery, Kim Stapleton handled entertainment, Kathleen and Gina Pizzo provided general support, Daniel Smith worked on accounting and was the movie man, John McLaughlin again served as master of ceremonies and Patti Gahagan was volunteer chair. American Cancer Society staff partners were Jess Herrera and Elizabeth Vargas.

More than 20 local companies and entities provided entertainment and donated items for the silent auction. Platinum sponsors included O'Conner Hospital, SGC Financial, Jack B. Keenan, Inc., Lyons Brothers Plumbing, Old Orchard School, AccessPlus Mortgage and South Bay Materials. Silver Sponsors were Bad Boy Bail Bonds, Marie Callender’s, Armadillo Willy's, Le Boulanger, Party America, Pepsi, One Workplace, Family Route, Health Care Chiropractic and Peak Travel.

Bronze sponsors included A Work of Heart, ARC gas, Noah's Bagels, Airdrome Orchards, Chevy's Fresh Mex and Galli Produce.

Jan Hahn finds passion in helping

Jan Hahn took her final chemotherapy treatment in February. As one of the leaders of the Empower team, she worked hard to raise money before and during the Relay and even harder to make sure her message gets across.

"We've raised over $20,000 and counting," she told the Times. But more important she has had an inspiration. "My whole revelation is that cancer really does suck, but through empowerment I have learned one true thing—healthy, smart, intelligent women can do one simple thing: a self breast exam to empower and take care of themselves. If you catch the cancer early, radiation and chemotherapy can make it simple to get rid of."

Following the survivor lap and parade of teams, Jan Hahn rests with her close friend Lorri Kagan, whose mother is a 30-year cancer survivor.

Hahn praised her friends. "I have a group of the most amazing women and men friends," she said.

Hahn and friends Lorri Kagan and Lili Brandt began walking together three years before Hanh's cancer was diagnosed. Her friends tried to do everything to support her, Hahn said, and she "couldn't have done it without them. They helped with the doctors, treatments and insurance. They raised money and brought food. One handled the insurance, one took care of doctors, they enlisted a lot of people. I wasn't afraid to ask. "

Now Hahn is seeking out women encouraging them to take care of themselves. "My mission is to let people know that they are empowered to take care of themselves, and need to ensure that if they get cancer they find it early to make it easier to get rid of it."

She advocates that women, who almost always are caretakers of everyone else, take time to care for themselves too. A monthly self-breast exam is important she said, as is exercise and healthy food and nutrition. "It's really important that all women be empowered to take care of themselves."