2012 Relay for Life

Posted on January 16, 2012 by David Casas 
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Get ready, get set, go.  The planning for the local 2012 Relay for Life is getting geared up.  Since our local relay began eight years ago, Carol & I have participated in each event walking side-by-side with our children.  As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I walk as a survivor.

This year’s Relay will add a new focus on caregivers as well as on survivors.  I believe that this is a great way to say thank you, to those treasured individuals we leaned hard on in a time of uncertainty.  The 2012 event in Los Altos is scheduled for June 9-10 at Egan School.

While the event is still five months away, it takes a gathering of spirited community members to pull it all together.  It’s always great to see Los Altos come together as a community of one.  One Purpose.  One Goal.  One Weekend.

Per the American Cancer Society (ACS), “Relay For Life began in Tacoma, Washington.  In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local ACS office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt’s friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington.

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.

While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event.”

Since the first local relay in June 2004, Los Altos has raised nearly $3 million to support research, education, advocacy and patient services.

For more information, feel free to contact us and we will ensure you get to the right person.

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