Gearing up for relay of a lifetime

Cancer survivor Pamela Curry has undergone eight surgeries over the past 10 years after being diagnosed with stage-3 breast cancer.

“I want to let people with cancer know that there is hope,” Curry said. “You can survive, and your hair can grow back.”

Curry, wife of Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry, is one of numerous local cancer survivors who is participating in this year’s Newport Beach Relay for Life.

Local cancer survivors, their families and volunteers gathered at the Newport Coast Community Center on Saturday to kick off the cancer research fundraiser.

“It’s a way to get everyone pumped up for the event and gather support,” said Ashley Johnson, an organizer for the relay.

This year’s relay is May 16 and 17 at Newport Harbor High School. About 1,200 volunteers participated in last year’s event, raising more than $190,000 for the American Cancer Society and cancer research.

This year, the Newport Beach Relay is the only relay in Orange County where participants can sign up for the Cancer Prevention Study-3, a landmark, long-term research study that doctors hope will better identify lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that can cause or prevent cancer.

The American Cancer Society is enrolling participants in the study at Relay for Life events across the country this year.

Grant Freeman, a local cancer survivor, is helping sign people up for the study at the Newport Beach Relay for Life this year.

“It’s a way for me to give back as a cancer survivor,” Freeman said. “I’ve also known many people who have fought cancer and passed away. Hopefully this study will help us get a better idea of how to prevent cancer and ultimately eradicate it.”

Freeman beat stage-4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after a bone marrow transplant. An 18-year cancer survivor, he’s been participating in Relay for Life events in Orange County for the past 12 years.

“It’s really grown over the years,” Freeman said. “It’s a great way to help people with cancer and show support.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Newport Beach Relay for Life

WHEN: May 16-17

WHERE: Newport Harbor High School, 600 Irvine Ave.

INFO: www.relayforlife.org/newportbeachca or call (949) 567-0603

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.