Rotary weekend at Relay

For the third year, Arcadia Rotary Club members joined hundreds of others in the Arcadia community in the fight against cancer at the American Cancer Society 24-Hour Relay for Life held June 23 at Santa Anita Park.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – by Anne Donofrio-Holter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Relay for Life “brings together more than three million people each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and empower individuals and communities to fight back against the disease.” In addition to raising awareness, the event is also an opportunity for people from all walks of life to raise funds for research.

Calling the Relay a positive event of hope, Arcadia Rotary Club president Eric Barter said the disease has touched everyone’s life in some way and club members were honored to be there to support the survivors as well as remember those we have lost.

With their booth decked out in a Hawaiian motif thanks to Rotarian Andrea Bundesman, and with assistance from chef Jeffrey Gold, club members served up breakfast, lunch and dinner to participants in exchange for a donation to Relay for Life. “At the end of the day, we gathered the unsold food and contributed it to a church that feeds the homeless,” said Rotarian Rosie Mares. “Being a Rotarian means “Service above Self,” which was evident throughout the day.” As evening fell, glowing bags called luminaria lit the infield footpath, each one representing a life that has battled cancer. Throughout the 24-hour period, volunteers continued to walk, lend support for each other and enjoy event entertainment. Volunteers greeted the dawn of Sunday morning with a feeling of satisfaction.

Also participating were Rotarians Mike Ojeda, Gil Stromsoe, Dick Martinez, John Murphy, Mary Salcedo, Rob Granger, Mimi Hennessy, Ralph Orr, Nikki Adams and Tom Miles.

First held in 1985, almost 5,000 communities in the United States have played host to the event which to date, has raised more than $2 billion in the fight against cancer.

The Arcadia Rotary Club meets every Friday from noon to 1:30 pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel located at 211 E Huntington Drive in Arcadia. For additional information, go to www.arcadiarotary.org.