Relay for Life kicks off season
Friends and families put on their bowling shoes of Santa Clarita Valley on Sunday at Santa Clarita Lanes for a Relay for Life kickoff event, months ahead of their next annual relay in May.
With 95 people participating, 18 different teams occupied lanes ready for play.
Raffle tickets were also handed out for a chance to win prizes that were donated by team members such as DVDs, gift baskets, jewelry, sports equipment and wine.
Teams varied from small businesses to families, friends or support groups, such as the ACS support group “Bosom Buddies.”
Co-chairs Cass Stauffer and Leslie Borgen each
It can be fun as well as extremely rewarding. For me, it’s rewarding because I’ve watched it grow.” Leslie Borgen,
Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley co-chair
had their own teams, Stauffer with the California State University, Northridge Aquatics Center, where she is employed, and Borgen’s “Team Donnie,” in memory of her sister who died in 2014.
“It’s keeping her name alive, and it’s also keeping my family together, and we’re all working toward helping and (raising) money toward cancer in my sister’s honor,” Borgen said.
Borgen said starting the relay season earlier and keeping it going until September revitalizes the organization’s events, which support the American Cancer Society, and brings a new level of enthusiasm from those who want to continue participating.
“It can be fun as well as extremely rewarding,” she said. “For me, it’s rewarding because I’ve watched it grow.”
Admission for individual players was $25 per person, or $120 per team of five people.
The upcoming Relay for Life event is scheduled May 18 and 19. Previous relays have lasted a whole 24 hours, whereas this year’s relay will consist of 18 hours.
Other fundraisers will help account for the remaining six hours that make up what Relay for Life raises.