Not just a walk around the track

With 35-pounds of firefighting gear weighing him down, Newport Beach Fire Capt. Brian McDonough began what he believed would be a 24-hour journey around the track at Newport Harbor High School on Saturday morning to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

“Newport Beach is so supportive of the fire department and this is my way to say ‘thank you’ to the community,” McDonough said as he took one of his first laps around the track wearing a fire helmet and heavy fire boots.

The Newport Beach Relay for Life kicked off its eighth year at Newport Harbor High School on Saturday morning for 24 hours of walking for the American Cancer Society. The event had raised more than $100,000 for cancer research and prevention by Friday evening, but more money was expected to come in throughout the day, organizers said.

McDonough has attempted to walk all 24 hours of the Newport Beach Relay for Life for the past three years. He lasted 16 or 17 hours the first time he attempted the walk but achieved his goal at the 2008 relay.

He estimates he averaged about three laps around the track an hour last year, for a walk of about 70 miles over the span of 24 hours.

McDonough stops to eat dinner, use the bathroom, and to change his socks every five hours or so, but walks without interruption the rest of the 24 hours of the relay.

The firefighter has a ritual after his yearly walk.

“I go home, sit down, drink a beer, then I take a nap and get up and play with my kids,” said McDonough, a father of two.

Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry joined his wife, Pamela, to walk the opening lap of the relay on Saturday. A 10-year breast cancer survivor, Pamela Curry has participated in Newport Beach Relay for Life for the past four years, serving as cancer survivor co-chair for this year’s event.

“It just gives you hope for you and your family that you can look normal and have a life again,” Pamela Curry said.

Keith Curry has walked in the event for the past four years with the Newport Beach City Council Relay for Life Team, the Council Critters.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to raise money and awareness and show support to find a cure,” he said.

The Council Critters had raised about $6,000 toward cancer research by Saturday morning, Councilman Mike Henn said, who led the team this year.

For, Newport Beach Fire Capt. Jerry Strom, Relay for Life is a way to connect with other cancer survivors.

Strom, a 27-year testicular cancer survivor, also served as a survivor co-chair at this year’s relay.

“Just walking around the track, I talked with at least 10 other cancer survivors,” Strom said. “We all share a common bond. Cancer never really leaves you, it’s always in the back of your mind.”