By Khalida Sarwari
Survivors, caregivers and their families were among the dozens of people who turned out to the Relay for Life in Saratoga last weekend, each one with a moving story to tell.
Debbie Manser, the 2014 event chairwoman, said the ninth annual event drew about 300 people to the Saint Andrew’s Field for the weekend-long activities and to take turns walking around the track.
“It turned out well,” she said. “People really enjoyed it. A lot of people made a comment to me that Relay had been dwindling over the last several years, that this was the rebuilding. It was so energetic and enthusiastic and they were really excited to come back next year.”
Throughout the day on Saturday, participants held on-site fundraisers, played games, engaged in face painting and a zumba class and watched performances on stage. The lineup featured the Sister City Taiko drummers, various musical acts, Bollywood dancers and magician Kim Silverman.
Speeches were given by Saratoga Mayor Emily Lo, along with Mountain View resident Natalie McQueen and Salinas resident Nicole Zardo, both of whom spoke about their experiences with overcoming cancer.
Participants also had a chance to come up on stage and talk about who they were participating for and what the relay means to them.
In the evening, participants with candles in hand walked around a track lined with bags bearing the names of those who have fought and lost the battle with cancer.
“It was a really moving end of the day,” Manser said.
During the closing ceremony on Sunday, awards were given to several teams, individuals and committees. The Best Fundraising Team award went to Life Striders; the Saratoga Library and Friends team took home the Best Cancer Awareness award; ThePerfectMisfits won the Best Crowd Pleaser award; and Bob’s Army won the Best Relay Spirit award. The award for Best Decorated Campsite went to Immanuel Irradiators and the Best New Team award went to Debbie Holmgren, whose one-person team, I Miss You, Mom!, raised more than $800.
“She embodied all the elements of Relay,” said Manser.
The top individual fundraiser award was given to Roza Anbari, who raised more than $3,000. A special mention award was given to Thierry Doyen, who walked 100 laps as part of his one-man team, We Believe That We Can Win.
In the end, the Saratoga Relay for Life raised a little more than $37,000, with another month to go before the end of this year’s fundraiser. Twenty-three teams and 96 people participated in the July 19-20 event.
“It was a great event,” Manser said. “My only regret is that more people in the community didn’t come out for it.”
The Saratoga Relay will hold one more major fundraiser before the Aug. 31 deadline. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Sonoma Chicken Coop in Campbell.
To make an online donation, visit relayforlife.org/saratogaca.
Cancer survivors, caregivers part of annual Saratoga Relay for Life
