By Erica Schneider
Staff Writer
One student’s dream of raising awareness and money for cancer was fulfilled on May 14 and 15 at Manhattan Beach’s first-ever Relay For Life.
Junior Eliza Gesten transferred to Mira Costa at the beginning of her sophomore year. Inspired by her grandmother who fought and eventually died from cancer, Gesten was determined to bring the American Cancer Society’s fundraiser to her new school and community to raise awareness.
“We brought the event to this community to raise money, find cures and fight back, so future generations won’t have to be devastated by this dreadful disease,” Gesten said.
The Relay for Life is a volunteer-driven, 24-hour event that gives participants an opportunity to raise awareness about cancer and help save lives. People of all ages form teams in which each member strives to raise at least $100 for the cause by walking continuously around a track.
Teams are asked to have a member on the track at all times to illustrate the fact that “cancer never sleeps.” Volunteers and survivors come together to celebrate those who have fought, survived and lost their lives to cancer.
Approximately 20 teams made up of middle and high school students as well as community members participated in this year’s event.
Following the national anthem, which was performed by the Mira Costa vocal ensemble, participants prepared for the daylong event with a yoga warm-up. The first lap of “victory” was led by a group of cancer survivors wearing their symbolic purple shirts.
“It was inspirational to watch as the cancer survivors led the rest of the volunteers around the track with smiling faces,” team member and junior Riley O’Connell said.
Throughout the day, a number of activities were provided for the participants’ enjoyment, including a balloon toss, a “stuck together” team lap, a dance competition and a scavenger hunt.
A kid’s carnival consisting of face paining, manicures, pedicures, tattoos and whip cream pie throwing was a successful means of raising even more money and providing entertainment.
“The process of planning events was definitely long,” entertainment chair and junior Jenny Anderson said. “However, watching as everyone enjoyed the activities we helped plan was really rewarding.”
There was a varied line-up of entertainment throughout the day and even the night. A number of solo artists and student and adult bands, including Eden’s Bliss and The Stick and Stones, helped create a festive environment. Mira Costa’s Comedy Sportz team presented a number of improvised skits, which were well received by the crowd.
“The day was filled with a mix of serious and light hearted moments,” chair team organizer and junior Carly McPherson said. “The entertainment and activities helped create a feeling of community, and I know everyone felt good about the great event.”
The relay culminated in a Luminaria Ceremony, where participants remembered those they have lost to cancer. Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to buy and decorate luminaria bags in memory of lost loved ones. The event raised a total of $57,000.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the support from our teams’ members, sponsors and cancer survivors,” Gesten said. “I’m so happy that my vision for this event was finally put into action and was so successful.”
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