"That's not what I wanted to hear," Levy told the small but supportive crowd that gathered outside the Garden Theatre building on March 12 for a rally to promote Willow Glen's Relay for Life. The relay, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, is set for the weekend of May 14­15 at the Willow Glen High School track.

Guest speaker Levy, who co-chaired the Los Altos Relay for Life last year, said that in the United States a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes.

"Unfortunately, it's not a very exclusive sorority," she added.

Women participate in the relay to honor loved ones lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who've survived the disease.

"The relay is important for the awareness it brings to the community about the importance of raising money to defeat cancer," Levy told the Willow Glen Resident. "There are so few people it doesn't touch."

Willow Glen volunteer Nancy Doudell, who lost her father to cancer, said many of her fellow committee members have experienced a similar loss or have battled cancer themselves.

"I think most people in the community have been affected and don't know how to reach out," Doudell added. "Colon cancer is in my family. I'm here so my kids don't have to experience it."

So far 28 teams have signed up for Willow Glen's fifth annual relay, three more than last year. The Willow Glen relay is one of 24 such events scheduled in the South Bay from May to August.

"We're working to make it a fun event and bring in entertainment for kids and families," said Linda Baxter, chairwoman of the Willow Glen event.

During the relay, team members take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Each team member is asked to raise at least $100.

Last year's Willow Glen relay raised $70,000, and this year's fundraising goal is $80,000. The American Cancer Society will earmark half the funds raised for research, patient services and awareness campaigns within the Willow Glen community.

The relay kicks off on May 14 at 10 a.m. with a survivor lap, when those who have beaten cancer will take to the track. At dusk hundreds of transparent bags containing candles will be placed around the track for a luminaria ceremony honoring family and friends who have fought cancer.

The psychological battle cancer patients face can often be as daunting as their physical distress. At the rally, Levy pointed to statistics showing that cancer patients who have a strong support network have a better chance of surviving.

"Before I had cancer, I'd see someone wearing a scarf or a turban and I couldn't look them in the eye," Levy said. "Now I want to run up and embrace them."

For more information about Willow Glen's Relay for Life, contact Trenton Turner at 408.688.0108 or trenton.turner@cancer.org.