Local American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Nov. 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Oct. 15, 2018 Samantha Tweddell,

(760) 568-9645

Community Development Manager

Samantha.Tweddell@cancer.org

(Media) John Hussar

PRNewsWorks (760) 567-8073

American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Honors Cancer

Survivors And Caregivers Nov. 3 at Palm Valley School

RANCHO MIRAGE – The American Cancer Society’s first-ever Coachella Valley-wide Relay For Life to celebrate cancer survivors and caregivers will be held Nov. 3 at Palm Valley School.

Cancer survivors and participants are welcome from community organizations, churches, businesses and neighborhoods to join the celebration of life. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dan McGrath, of Sunny 103.1 FM KZEN, will again be the emcee from 10 a.m. to noon. Local DJ Tony Rico will emcee the remainder of the Relay For Life. Palm Valley School is located at 35525 da Vall Dr., Rancho Mirage.

“All survivors are welcome to join, free of charge and will receive a free “Survivor” shirt and goody bag while supplies last as well as breakfast starting at 9 a.m. prior to opening ceremonies,” said Julie Pizzitola, ACS Senior Manager, Community Development.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s version of a relay with a twist. Relay for Life is a family-oriented team event where participants can walk or run around the track, relay-style, for 12 hours. Participants camp out around the track and when they aren’t taking their turn on the track, they take part in fun activities with family, neighbors, and co-workers.

“There will be activities for attendees of all ages,” Pizzitola said. “There will be cancer prevention, healthy lifestyle and nutrition education available so that we can all learn how to take charge of our health. And, of course, we will have music, dance, lots of food, and the very moving Luminaria Ceremony in the evening at 8 p.m.” Luminaria bags are $10. “We will decorate it in honor or in memory of a loved one who has battled this disease,’’ Pizzitola said. “These beautiful bags will line the walking track and be illuminated for all to see. We will also have a slideshow and silent lap following a bag piper playing ‘Amazing Grace’ as we remember those who we have lost and honor those still with us.” To purchase a luminary please click on www.relayforlife.org/coachellavalleyca

Among those to be honored at Survivors Tent will be the late Beverly Cooley, a long-time Coachella Valley resident. Cooley, who passed away in February, received the highly coveted Capitol Dome Award posthumously during this year’s Cancer Action Day at the Capitol in Sacramento April 17, 2018. Presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the prestigious award places Cooley in the top tier of cancer advocacy leaders in the nation. As a cancer survivor, she also volunteered for the American Cancer Society for nearly two decades for programs like Relay For Life, Look Good Feel Better, Reach To Recovery, the Wig Bank as well as a general office volunteer in the Palm Desert office.

The Ultimate Tailgate BBQ Dinner is provided by Mario’s Italian Café, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner is free to pre-registered cancer survivors and for $10 at the event. Tickets for the barbecue chicken dinner, baked beans, Texas rice, Smokey Mountain potato salad, sourdough role and The Italian Touch tomatoes and basil pasta may be purchased tickets early by Oct. 29 for only $5 at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/mariosdinnertickets Mario’s owner, Mario Del Guidice will donate 100 percent of funds raised to the American Cancer Society.

“The funds raised will enable us to expand our services to cancer patients and their families, to offer more educational programs that will reduce people’s risk of getting cancer, and to expand cancer research programs,” Pizzitola said.

Teams from companies and organizations collect donations A team consists of 10 or more members, and can be made up of neighbors, family members, co-workers, church friends, students and youth, or any combination of cancer fighters. “Relay for Life is as much an awareness raiser about progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser to fight cancer,” said. To start a team or sign up as a survivor, please go to www.relayforlife.org/coachellavalleyca There is no charge to sign up and if you donate or raise $100, you will receive a free “Hope Club” shirt.

The closing ceremony will take place at 9:30 p.m. with a final lap at 10 p.m.

For more information, please visit us online at www.relayforlife.org/coachellavalleyca or email Event Lead, Michelle Rico at ricomix@roadrunner.org or Janine Judy at janine2sisters@gmail.com

You can also reach out to the American Cancer Society at Samantha.Tweddell@cancer.org. For information on cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, visit the Society at www.cancer.org or call (800) 227-2345.

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