Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure car show aims to raise funds for prostate cancer

About one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, according to the American Cancer Society. One of them was Debbie Baker’s husband, Jim, and she has dedicated herself to helping other men and their families deal with the issue through Orange County’s “Cruisin’ for a Cure” car show.

The annual show, held in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, will mark its 16th year from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.

“I started this 16 years ago when my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer,” Baker said. “He did lose his battle, though, from this in 2009, but I am determined to continue to save our men each year [through] the free screenings we provide at the show.”

It’s common for men to procrastinate when it comes to having their prostates checked, so Baker decided to try to persuade them through the creation of a car show.

“It is truly a car show, with more than 3,500 rods, customs, trucks, classics, Corvettes, new and old,” Baker said. “The cars fill four buildings, plus there is a building just for cars for sale. The Hangar is filled with 60 handpicked cars that are gorgeous. There is a 1.25-mile cruise lane inside the fairgrounds that the cars cruise all day. Cars are parked everywhere, and we have more than 200 vendors.”

The show will offer something for the ears as well as the eyes, as the Kelly Rae Band, a country music group, plays.

Also, several auto-related prizes will be given to people who enter their cars in the show.

Amid all the entertainment, men can take a free blood test for signs of prostate cancer between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Those who want a more comprehensive exam can request one.

“Last year alone, we tested more than 973 men, and 154 men came back with notes after the testing to see their doctors,” Baker said. “We have … saved well over 4,000 men over the past 15 years.”

Men who have survived prostate cancer may be seen at the show wearing light-blue shirts.

Admission to Cruisin’ for a Cure will is $15 for adults and free for children younger than 12. All money raised from the event will go to Duarte-based City of Hope, a leader in cancer research.

The OC Fair & Event Center is at 88 Fair Drive.

For more information, visit cruisinforacure.com