Saratoga News

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Relay for Life organizers seek cancer survivor as torchbearer

By Michele Leung

Saratoga organizers for the 2006 Relay for Life are looking for nominations for a cancer survivor to be the torchbearer during the June 24-25 overnight event. The torchbearer kicks off the luminaria ceremony, in which participants hold candles as they walk at night. During the ceremony, the torchbearer will light all of the survivors' candles, and the survivors, in turn, will light all other participants' candles. Organizers hope that the torchbearer will be willing to offer a few words of inspiration at the ceremony.

Survivors can nominate themselves for torchbearer honors.

"They need to send us something about themselves and explain why they can deliver a message of hope for people," said Marilyn Marchetti, one of the event organizers.

Back for the second year in Saratoga, the Relay for Life is part of a national fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society and will again take place at Redwood Middle School. The purpose of the event is to remember and celebrate those affected by cancer. Teams of participants commit to walking around the track for 24 hours.

"Cancer touches every single person," Marchetti said. "There is no one who doesn't have a family member or a friend who hasn't been affected by cancer."

To send nominations, email marilyn.marchetti@comcast.net or call 408.741.1127. To volunteer for the event, contact Christine VanHoy at 408.313.1768.