Relay for Life returning to Glendale this weekend
In this Oct. 2914 photo, runners participate in the 24-hour Relay for Life event at Scholl Canyon Park in Glendale. More than 35 teams made up of a total of 800 people are expected to walk around the field nonstop this year to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The 24-hour fundraiser to help fight cancer known as Relay for Life returns on Saturday to the Scholl Canyon baseball fields.
More than 35 teams made up of a total of 800 people are expected to walk around the field nonstop for a full day to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
This year’s goal is raise about $70,000, said event chair Betty Noujaim. About $45,000 has been garnered, so far.
The event has been held at the ball fields for more than a decade, but a long-term goal is to make an upgrade to a larger location, Noujaim said.
“Our goal is to outgrow [the ball fields],” she said. “We want to go do this at a bigger place.”
More than 400 local high school students are expected to participate as well as volunteers from the city of Glendale and the Glendale Police Department, said Allie Stefencavage, a community manager with Relay for Life.
“It’s been a joy to work with this community and have representation from so many sectors,” she said.
Teams will be camped out in tents during the fundraiser. Acapulco, one of the several businesses to donate to Relay for Life, will provide a free lunch for participants.
Noujaim has been involved with the event for more than a decade and said her favorite part of it is the luminaria — a candlelight vigil honoring those who have lost their battle with cancer and those who are fighting the disease.
“There usually isn’t a dry eye in the house,” she said.
The opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the ball fields, located at 3800 E. Glenoaks Blvd.
Donations can still be made at relayforlife.org/glendaleca.
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Arin Mikailian, ArinMikailian@latimes.com
Twitter: @ArinMikailian