Duarte Relay for Life Set for June 9-10 at

Northview Middle School

DUARTE, CA, May 8, 2012 — Cancer never sleeps and neither will participants of the 24-hour long Relay for Life event to be hosted by the City of Duarte and the American Cancer Society on June 9 and June 10 on the campus of Northview Middle School, 1401 Highland Ave.

Participants of the 3rd Annual Duarte Relay for Life will honor cancer survivors and pay tribute to lives lost by the disease while striving to raise $50,000 to help fight cancer in the community.  Mayor John Fasana will kick off the event, hosting opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. on June 9, while Mayor Pro-Tem Liz Reilly will preside over the closing ceremony at 9 a.m. the next morning.  Last year more than 20 teams participated raising more than $30,000 for the fight against cancer. Event Chair, Katherine Whatley, a Duarte Walmart employee, said she is expecting another record year.  "We are so excited to be working with so many groups in the community again. I'm sure we will have even more participation and exceed our goals once again."

This year's theme, "Mardi Gras," will provide the teams with lots of inspiration for creative décor and activities throughout the Relay.  Teams will maintain a 24-hour community presence, camping out overnight on the field at Northview Middle School.  The event will feature food, games, tributes and fellowship. Every penny earned will go toward cancer research.  The City of Duarte itself is sponsoring a youth team consisting of representatives from Duarte's Promise —The Alliance for Youth, Northview's Cardinals Helping Youth Live Life (C.H.Y.L.L.) and Duarte Area Resource Team (D.A.R.T.), who are gathering donations by selling "Feet" and Luminaries which represent people who have been diagnosed, died, or have beaten cancer.

The Relay for Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, the Relay has grown from a single man's passion into the world's largest movement to end cancer.  For more information about how to start a team, join a team or volunteer, visit www.relayforlife.org/duarteca, or call Katherine Whatley at (626) 404-3537.

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