Relay for Life picking up steam

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH--With 13 teams already confirmed and many others

expected to register, organizers of the Relay for Life say the event to

raise funds and awareness for cancer is already on its way to being a big

success.

“It’s a very encouraging time for us right now,” said Peggy Fort,

volunteer promoter for the event.

Event organizers have been blanketing the community with word of the

upcoming walk, which begins at 7 p.m. May 17.

Announcements at City Council meetings, brochures at grocery store

checkouts and enthusiastic word-of-mouth promotion is causing a snowball

of support for the event, Fort said.

The walk, an American Cancer Society event that takes place in cities

across the country, uses teams of five to 25 people to walk around the

clock for cancer awareness. Taking turns, team members in Newport Beach’s

event will have one participant at all times walking or jogging around

the Newport Harbor High School stadium for 24 hours. Cost to enter a team

is $150.

Having some well-known locals on board has definitely helped the

cause, Fort said.

City Councilman Steve Bromberg, a two-time cancer survivor, has been

an outspoken supporter and is now captain of the team “Council Critters.”

City Manager Homer Bludau, who lost his father to lung cancer, is

heading up the “City Slickers” team.

Cancer survivor Paul Salata is honorary chair and Pat Smith is another

local who has thrown her efforts into the event.

“People are getting very excited about it,” said Bromberg, whose 17

“Council Critter” team members include environmentalists Jack and Nancy

Skinner. “It’s a good thing and a good thing to do.”

Corporate sponsors are also boosting the effort. As of Friday,

confirmed sponsorships include the Newport Beach Restaurant Assn.,

Starbucks Coffee Co., the Balboa Island Ferry, Rogers Gardens and

Fletcher Jones Motorcars.

People who want to support the Relay for Life but who aren’t up for

the all-night walk can be part of the “Mile of Hope” Luminaria

candle-lighting event. For $10, a supporter can buy a candle in honor of

a cancer survivor or victim, or in their own name. The honoree’s name

will be written on the bag containing the candle.

FYI

WHAT: Newport Beach Relay for Life

WHEN: Cancer survivors will walk the first lap at 7 p.m. May 17; at

9:30 p.m. will be a Luminaria candle-lighting ceremony; the walk will end

at 7 p.m. May 18

WHERE: Newport Harbor High School stadium

REGISTRATION: Deadline to register a team is May 13; cost is $150.

Luminaria candles can be ordered in advance until May 13, or they can be

purchased on site on May 17.

CONTACT: (949) 675-0501