Going that extra mile

The Laguna Beach Relay for Life is a race to outrun cancer.

It can be done. Just ask Anne Johnson

Johnson, a longtime Laguna Beach resident and planning commissioner, was diagnosed with cancer almost 20 years ago.

“It changes you forever,” Johnson said. “You become more aware when you confront your own mortality. An ache or a pain is never just an ache or a pain once you have had cancer.”

Pay attention. Cancer can strike at any age and either sex.

Festival of Arts exhibitor Lu Campbell was the last person anyone — including herself — would expect to be diagnosed with lung cancer.

“It was a surprise,” Campbell said. “I was regularly biking as many as 30 miles a day. And I am back doing it.”

Surgeons removed a half of a lung two months after she was diagnosed. The remaining lung expanded and filled the space. ”The doctors told me it could happen and it did,” Campbell said. “There is always hope. You can’t just curl up and die. I have too many things I want to do.”

Trudy Josephson, who was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 20 years ago, also takes a positive approach: “When life hands you a lemon, stick it in your bra,” she advises the audiences that attend her motivational speeches.

Rare is the Laguna Beach resident who doesn’t know someone who has — or has had — cancer. One out of every three women and one of every two men will be diagnosed with cancer, according to Ellen Dever, Relay for Life manager with Orange County Region of the American Cancer Society.

Raising awareness and raising funds to research a cure and care for the stricken is no walk in the park. It takes money. And that’s where the annual Relay for Life comes in.

Funds are raised by team registration fees, participants’ solicitations, which are credited the team; sponsorships of $500 and up; and donations of time or money are welcome.

Last year, the event raised almost $100,000.

The 24-hour Relay for Life begins tonight at with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. sharp on the El Morro Elementary School field, followed immediately by the Survivor Lap, in which all cancer survivors are invited to participate.

Schedule of events

Teams will begin setting up at 3 p.m. today.

Registration to participate begins at 5 p.m. and will continue through Saturday. Team membership is not a requirement.

Kid’s Camp will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. today, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Activities will include crafts and a bounce house. Food will be served.

The Luminaria Ceremony, at 9 p.m., will celebrate and honor the lives of past and present cancer patients. Luminarias may be purchased for $10 at the event.

Laps will be walked, jogged or run throughout the night and Saturday

Barbecue: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. A $5 donation is requested.

Entertainment: Musical acts and bands will perform during the event.

Free trolley service will be available from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Laguna Beach Unified School District parking lot. City Clerk Martha Anderson and City Treasurer Laura Parisi are sponsoring a trolley.

“People are welcome to register the day of the event or just come and enjoy the fun,” said Tori Degan, marketing chair. “There are plenty of things for people of all ages to enjoy.

“We are asking the community to come together for 24 hours to celebrate, remember, and fight back against the diseases that have impacted the lives of so many of us.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Laguna Beach Relay for Life

WHERE: El Morro Elementary School field

WHEN: 6 p.m. today through 6 p.m. Saturday

WHO: Anyone

REGISTRATION: From 5 p.m. today throughout the event

RELAY FOR LIFE ENTERTAINMENT

Today

6:30 to 9 p.m.: Planet Groove

9 to 11 p.m.: Luminaria ceremony

11 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Dubluva

Saturday

10 a.m. to noon: Boogie Box, aerobics class

Noon to 2 p.m.: Boys of Summer

2 to 5:30 p.m.: DJ Michael

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or [email protected].