FROM THE NEWSROOM -- Tony Dodero

Memo to Newport Beach residents:

If you are a cancer survivor or you have someone in your life who has

been affected by cancer, keep your weekends free in the months of June or

July.

That’s a pretty tall order, I know, but it’s for a good reason.

The American Cancer Society has identified Newport Beach as one of 11

Orange County communities to stage its annual 24-hour Relay for Life

event.

“We will invite every single cancer survivor in Newport Beach to come

take part,” said Trina Jonas, the cancer society’s regional Relay for

Life manager. “It will be for Newport Beach residents only.”

Jonas, herself a cancer survivor, said she is looking for about 15

people to form a committee to help plan the summertime event.

In addition, she is looking for race participants and, of course,

cancer survivors and those who have had someone close to them die of

cancer. Those with harrowing stories of cancer to tell are asked to come

speak at the event.

“When survivors are there and see their family supporting them, it

means a lot to them,” Jonas said. “People have said that it provides

closure and seeing their support helps them think they can make it.”

The Relay for Life started in 1985 in Washington and has become the

signature event of the American Cancer Society. The event has raised half

a billion dollars for cancer research, Jonas said.

The Relay for Life is unique because instead of running from Point A

to Point B, it’s a relay race with teams of 10 to 15 people, Jonas said.

Throughout a 24-hour period, someone from each team walks the track, she

said.

“Our survivors take the first lap,” she said. “We give them all a

medal that says survivor on it.”

Additionally, she said the event, which will probably take place in

June or July at a local school or park, includes a luminary ceremony in

which bags with names of survivors and those who died of cancer are

lighted from the inside. Local bands and dance teams will also be asked

to perform and folks typically camp out during the 24-hour event.

Along with Newport, the Relay for Life will take place in Huntington

Beach, Laguna Beach, Orange, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Anaheim, Aliso

Viejo, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Santa Ana.

So why did the American Cancer Society choose Newport?

“Mainly because Newport Beach has created its own sense of community

within itself,” she said.

To join a committee or help out, call Jonas at (949) 261-9446, option

3, ext. 634.

***

For the second time this year, the Daily Pilot newsroom was invaded by

an army of Webelos.

This time, it was the Webelos Den 7, Pack 333 from Andersen Elementary

in Corona del Mar that dropped by the newsroom Thursday. They were given

a tour of the newsroom by yours truly.

I hope it was a lot of fun for them, but I think the reporters,

editors and photographers are still recovering from having 11

fourth-grade boys romp through the newsroom.

The Webelos, who came with moms Stacy Wilkirson and Barbi Townsend,

included: Jack Cooper, Patrick Schoenberg, Callan Saunders, Matt

Wilkirson, Austin Kaye, Michael Liao, Alex Mainthow, Robbie Quellmalz,

Benny Townsend, Andrew Scott Iverson and Nick Kevin Tripi.

Good luck to them all and who knows, maybe one or some of them will

catch the journalism bug and come back to the Pilot again someday.

***

Finally, I just want to say thanks to all those veterans out there. I

know, Sunday was Veterans Day, but today is the day most celebrate as the

holiday.

In my family, veterans have an important place.

On my father’s side, my grandfather served in World War I and my uncle

was a Navy gunner in World War II and a SEAL in the Korean War.

My father also served in the Navy and on my mother’s side, both her

brothers served in Vietnam.

And while neither I nor my brothers ever joined the military, I have

never lost sight of how important a role veterans have played in our

country’s history.

Today, we know they have never been more important nor more respected

than now.

I salute them all.

* TONY DODERO is the editor. His column appears on Mondays. If you

have story ideas or concerns about news coverage, please send messages

either via e-mail to o7 tony.dodero@latimes.comf7 or by phone at

949-574-4258.