Getting together to fight cancer

Suzie Harrison

The fourth annual Laguna Beach Relay for Life kick-off party at

[seven-degrees] Wednesday brought together more than 100 like-minded

people who want to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Laguna resident Thasa Zuziak greeted people as they joined the

festivities at [seven-degrees].

“I am a colon cancer survivor,” Zuziak said. “Last year I had team

‘Girl in the Curl,’ which is an all women’s surfing group.”

“I’m here because when I was sick my family and I got a lot of

support from the school and the community,” Zuziak said.

She is the PTA president at Top of the World Elementary School

and said that support is sometimes hard to find.

“A lot of people in treatment didn’t have the support dealing with

the 16 months of treatment,” Zuziak said. “It took awhile, but I

decided it was emotionally time to do something about it -- other

people need to know that it’s out there.”

Penny Svenson, chairperson for the Laguna Beach Relay for Life,

said that it is the third year that she has participated in the

event.

“I am so excited from all the support at the Kick Off Party,”

Svenson said. “With more than 150 people attending, the most ever, I

know the Laguna Beach Relay for Life event on Sept. 10 and 11 will be

a huge success.”

She said that her goal as chairperson is to get the community more

involved.

“Most people just don’t now about it -- and when they find out

about it they get excited and want to participate,” Svenson said.

City clerk Verna Rollinger attended the event and said she was very

excited to see such a big turn out.

“I’m sure it’s just a preview of what to come in September,”

Rollinger said. “I hope everyone will come and participate.”

Rollinger is team captain for the City; this is her second year in

a row.

“Last year we had a lot of fun and raised a lot of money,”

Rollinger said. “I’m sure that we can make a difference.”

Laguna Beach volunteer Barbara Pierce said her role is to sell the

luminaria bags.

“They are $10 a piece and each one is individualized,” Pierce

said. “They’re illuminated for the ceremony Friday night at 9 p.m.

All the lights go out and the luminaria bags border the track for the

opening ceremony.”

The names and personalized messages are then read.

College student Larissa Martus is the committee chair for the

luminarias.

“I’ve been doing it for four years,” Martus said. “I got involved

and have been here ever since.”

This year’s team event will be held at El Morro Elementary

School’s track. To participate in Laguna Beach Relay for Life or for

information, call James Brown, (949) 567-0636, Michelle Struss, (949)

494-3669 or Penny Svenson, (949) 494-0512.