A relay important event

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Cancer touches everyone. Some people it touches from

a distance, afflicting a friend or a relative. Others, it attacks

directly.

City Councilman Steve Bromberg falls into the second category, which

is why he’s lending his support to this year’s Relay for Life. It’s

because the disease is so pervasive, he said, that he’s spreading the

word and encouraging everyone in the city to get involved.

“This is an incredibly big deal,” Bromberg told attendees and viewers

of Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “I certainly hope to see a huge amount

of support.”

The event, scheduled to take place May 17-18 at the Newport Harbor

High School stadium, is designed to raise funds and awareness in the

fight against cancer. For 24 hours, teams of five to 25 relay

participants will walk nonstop around the stadium. The event begins at 7

p.m. on May 17 when cancer survivors walk the first lap. This is the

first year the American Cancer Society has tapped Newport Beach to be a

Relay for Life city. But chances are, it won’t be the last.

“The rank and file citizens in Newport Beach, can really rise to an

occasion like this,” Bromberg said. “Hopefully they will.”Nationally,

about 3,000 communities participate in the event each year. About 2

million people participate, including about 350,000 cancer survivors.

Bromberg, a two-time survivor of bladder cancer, is just one of the

local cancer survivors dedicated to making the event a success. Joining

him will be prominent locals Paul Salata, Judy Franco and Pat Smith. City

Manager Homer Bludau will chair the event.

“Our goal is heavy participation, especially youth participation” said

Smith, a community activist who triumphantly describes herself as a

15-year survivor of stage four ovarian cancer. “The idea of the 24-hour

walk is that cancer doesn’t take a rest.”

Bludau, too, has personal reasons for supporting the event. In 1994,

he lost his father to lung cancer just one month after the diagnosis.

“We do this in hopes that someday this will allow more and more people

to be spared from these tragedies,” he said.

About 75% of the money raised goes to cancer research. The fund-raiser

also helps pay for treatment, prevention and education.

“If people just know the importance of getting physicals regularly,

that can make the difference,” said Paul Salata, event co-chairman.

Salata had surgery for colon cancer in February 2001 and received a clean

bill of health just about two months ago.

“Some of us who have made it wouldn’t have made it 25 years ago,”

Salata said. “Research and awareness and hope are making all the

difference.”

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .

FYI

WHAT: Newport Beach Relay for Life

WHEN: May 17-18.

WHERE: Newport Harbor High School Stadium

GETTING INVOLVED: Teams pay $150 registration fee; also, for $10,

cancer victims and survivors can be remembered in the “Mile of Hope”

Luminaria candle-lighting ceremony.

INFORMATION: Call Trina Jonas, (949) 567-0634.