Goal Accomplished
Post on: 2011-11-02 By: admin
A total of $35,585 was the amount raised by the 2011 Relay for Life this past weekend at the Copper King Baseball Stadium.
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The 2011 Relay´s theme was “Star Light, Star Bright, Wishing for a Cure Tonight” and it was dedicated to the memory of Kendra Baumgartner and honoring her family. Thanks to the support of more than 400 people, including participants, sponsors, organizers and people related to the event, funds raised will be used for cancer research, education and advocacy as well as patient services.Festivities kicked off with a welcome by Cornelia G. Munoz, Relay Chair and cancer survivor. Don Wiggins, who is a cancer survivor, conducted the opening invocation. Special guests included Sergio Gonzales, Anna Maria GalindoAna Bustamante, from Top Corporate Team Wal-Mart; Camille Arevalo and Manuel Romero, from Cox Communication; Denis Cournoyer, American Cancer Society District Executive Director, and Anna Greenberg, ACS Community Relationship Manager; it also included Louis A. McKay Sr., former Douglas resident and a cancer survivor.McKay spoke to the crowd about what Relay means to him and how he will travel down every year from San Diego to participate in this life-changing event.“It is my 10th year coming to open this beautiful Relay for Life,” said McKay. “And thank you so much for allowing someone with throat cancer to walk with you.”Munoz gave an emotional introduction about the 2011 Relay for Life Honoree, Kendra Baumgartner, longtime Relayer, who sadly passed away shortly after the 2010 Relay. She introduced KrisRory Baumgartner, Kendra’s parents, who were also honored. Mr. Baumgartner encouraged to all cancer survivors and their families to keep moving forward and never stop fighting. He recognized their efforts to win the battle and thank the Relay for Life for remembering their daughter.“You are here because of Cancer,” he said. “Cancer, the very word is terrifying. This disease can be devastating emotionally for the patient and the family. Yet you are here because we all share the same experience.”Baumgartner also added “But mostly you are here today to bring hope to an often seemingly hopeless situation. May the Lord list your spirit and give you peace.” After the opening ceremony the 24-hour walk began with the survivors lap, where all participants put their efforts to honor the memory of someone loved that passed away, victim of cancer, or to celebrate life because they fought and won the battle against cancer.Survivors were given an opportunity to honor their caregivers with a small token of their gratitude. Mr. Pedro Saucedo, a survivor, spoke about his girlfriend, who was with him every step of the way on his cancer journey. Saucedo recently reached his 5 year survival against leukemia. The youngest survivor in attendance was 4 years old Alfred Yanez, who smile melted the hearts of those in attendance. Yanez is battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.At night events, Luminaria Ceremony took place at 8:45 P.M. Hundreds of bags were lit in honor of those who have fought and won or are still fighting, as well as in memory of those who have lost their fight.Tents were decorated to go with the theme of “Star Light, Star Bright, Wishing for a Cure Tonight”. Winners were as follows: Team Red’s Dawgswhose chose the theme “Star Light, Star Bright”; second place went to a Tinkerbell theme tent by Los Angeles de Tahi; third place went to the Douglas High School’s Harry Potter corner.Special recognition went to Wal-Mart Supercenter’s Humpty Dumpty theme complete with a live Humpty Dumpty, and to Omega Alpha Academy and their Alice in Wonderland tent. Special appearances were made by The Wicked Witch and Scarecrow from the Cochise College FamilyFriends team.Musical chairs, scavenger hunts, soccer and volley ball games were held throughout the course of the night. Scavenger hunts were played at 3:00 A.M. followed by a Zumba presentation by Clarissa Franco, from the team of Red’s Dawgs.Susan Hurtado, member of Red´s Dawgs said the team was inspired to help the Relay for Life because it´s a unique opportunity to show their children that even something as simple as walking can help someone a million times over. “We started our team the Red Dawgs less than a month before the relay,” Hurtado said. “Last year we set a goal of $500 and had a team of about 10 people, but this year we decided to go big and we set a goal of $1000.” She also said “But as the planning got started and our team grew from 10 people to almost 30 this year we decided we needed to do some fundraising and since my sister Clarissa Franco is a local Zumba instuctor she talked us into a Zumbaton.”Zumbaton consisted in a 3-hour Zumba class that took place on Friday, October 14, with four Zumba instructors, including Clarissa Franco, Luisa McCue, Eunice MartinezRaquel Swanson. “On Friday we all danced in memory of someone we love and miss who lost their battle with cancer, in honor and support or our family,” Hurtado said.With Zumbaton, the Red’s Dawgs raised $700, but after the Relay the team ended up with a total of $3,424.Closing ceremonies began with a final lap led the by Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back banners, carried by survivor, Robert E. Munoz, Rory BaumgartnerPatrick Hoyack. Rita Moreno, who successfully walked the 24 hours, was driven around for the final lap by Casey Hoyack.Cornelia Munoz announced the following results: At the time of closing ceremonies, $25,777.17 had been raised by this year’s participants. The Top Three Teams were as follows: Cochise College FamilyFriends raised $5,379.52; Red’s Dawgs raised $3,424.00; and Kendra’s Krusader’s raised $3,410.00. The top fundraisers were: RobertoConception Munoz from Cochise College FamilyFriends raised $1,766.25; Patrick Hoyack from Cochise College FamilyFriends raised $1,638.37KrisRory Baumgartner from Kendra’s Krusader’s raised $1,255.00.As of Sunday’s morning, the total raised by Relay for Life of Douglas had climbed to $35,585.00.
Copyright © 2011 Douglas Dispatch
Former Douglas ResidentCancer Survivor wrote on Oct 23, 2011 1:59 AM: Kudos to ACSRelay for Life of Douglas!As a former Douglas resident, it is always nice to hear of something good happening in our community.Many people feel that ACS comes into Douglas once a year and takes the moneyruns. This is simply not true.ACS is prohibited from publicizing who they helpin what way.I am a proud survivor helped out by research funded through the American Cancer Society. Congratulations to the Relay for Life Committee!You are a huge asset to the Douglas Community.My family has always believed that angels do walk on earth.The Relay committee led by Ms. Munoz is living proof that they do.May God continue to bless this wonderful committeecommunity!
Proud Douglas resident wrote on Oct 20, 2011 1:24 AM: Congratulations to the committee on this amazing accomplishment!Ms. Munoz was the guest speaker at the Turning Point meeting yesterday morning and provided so much information about Relay dollars at work in our community.She is one of the most passionate speakers I have heard in a long time and moved me as well as others in attendance to tears.
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