June 18, 2015

 

LAWT Staff Report 

 

 

American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Baldwin Hills team, is holding their annual walk a thon on June 27 at the Yvonne B. Burke Athletic Complex baseball field from 9:00 am to 9:00 am on June 28, continuing to raise funding for cancer treatment and prevention and celebrate survivors. With the event, the Baldwin Hills team joins millions of people around the world who are focused on the cause. According to their team page, members have formed 38 teams and 326 participants have raised $28,823 so far

 

“The goal of the event is to make an impact on your family, yourself and your community,” said RFLBH Co-Chair Madeline Wilson at last year’s event. “So the goal is you make one pledge of something you can do to improve either your health, your families or your community.”

 

Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Events are up to 24 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times. The event begins with an opening ceremony, after which survivors walk the “survivor lap”, celebrating their victory over cancer.

 

Following, are the caregiver and opening laps. Candles are lit during the Luminaria Ceremony, honoring those who have passed away or are still fighting. Rounding out the event will be the Fight Back Ceremony.

 

“Originally, one gentlemen, a doctor, decided to run for 24 hours to raise money for his cancer patients,” explained Wilson.

 

“Now, communities throughout the country and the world have several thousand relays for life Ours, the relay for life Baldwin Hills serves communities from Leimert Park to Ladera to South L.A. We have about 900 plus people that come, over a 150 cancer survivors come and walk the first lap.”

 

Games, food and entertainment will be provided to participants throughout the event. For more information visit www.RelayFor Life.org/BaldwinHillsCA, or call (323) 353-6635 or (213) 407-1640.

Category: Community