Relay for Life is in full swing

“We always wanted to get involved with charity”, Manning said of her and her husband, Patrick.

That was in 2006, when Geresy’s then-16-year-old daughter, Jenny, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Fischer has been cancer-free for the a year ago and half.

“All the proceeds go to Relay for Life”, Drake said. I am proud of our community for standing up to cancer to finish the fight. “This one picked us”.

One of the many highlights of the event is the luminaria ceremony, or candlelight vigil, held at nightfall to honor cancer survivors, caregivers, and to remember those lost to cancer. The event has seen greater popularity in the last three years, bringing in nearly $40,000, dedicated to services that will improve the life of cancer patients.

It is the hopes of participants and the American Cancer Society that through their efforts, more funds will be gathered to be sent to cancer charities around the United States. The event is overnight and is symbolic of one’s journey with cancer. Of that, Truckee-Tahoe’s event has raised approximately $422,500 in its eight years, according to an American Cancer Society representative. Donations are used to fund cancer research, and almost $5 billion has been raised since the relay program started in 1985, organizers said.

In addition, 14 million cancer survivors are expected to celebrate another birthday this year in part to the progress ACS has made.

“The support is there, when you don’t know it’s there and you don’t ask for it”, Fischer said.

“… My rational mind says because of the nature of the disease, it will never be eradicated, but it maybe controlled”.