City of Hope to Host Duarte Relay for Life May 15-16 Event to Support American Cancer Society

For the first time, City of Hope will be the site of an American Cancer Society Relay for Life event. More than 25 teams and 250 people have already signed up to participate in the first annual Duarte Relay for Life event on May 15-16.

“We’re very excited about the participation level in this first time event for Duarte. We’re well on our way to reaching our initial goal of raising $25,000 for the American Cancer Society. With the hard work of our team leaders and generous support of our sponsors the sky’s the limit now,” said event chairperson, Lisa Magno.

Duarte’s 24-hour Relay for Life event will begin Saturday, May 15 at 10 a.m. highlighted by an opening ceremony, followed by a Survivor’s Lap at 11 a.m., and a Luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. There will be entertainment and activities for families and children around the clock as teams walk, run, jog, wheelchair and bicycle around the Relay for Life track on the City of Hope grounds. The 24-hours of participation represent the reality that cancer never sleeps. By participating, team members honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives lost to the disease and raise money to help fight cancer.

Major sponsors and teams for the Duarte Relay for Life include City of Hope, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Joe’s Place, SCE Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Rite Aid, Papa John’s, Allegiance Medical Transportation, Man-E-Foundation, Duarte Public Safety, City of Duarte, Miyachi Unitec, Elks Club, Grace Fellowship, and Kiwanis.

Funds raised by Relay For Life have played a role in nearly every major cancer research breakthrough in the last 25 years, leading to groundbreaking discoveries into cancer's causes and cures. Relay has also contributed substantially to the American Cancer Society's funding of crucial prevention and early detection services; numerous, life-enhancing patient support programs; and advocacy initiatives that encourage lawmakers to do their part to defeat cancer, while rallying communities to join the fight.

To join a team, sponsor a team or donate to the cause, contact Lisa Magno at (626) 437-7993 or visit www.relayforlife.org/duarteca.