Annual Relay for Life event should top $35,000

Corny Munoz/Event Coordinator

Neither wind, dust nor rain could put a damper on the American Cancer Society's 11th Annual Relay for Life of Douglas/Bisbee, held this past weekend at the Copper King Baseball stadium.

At 10 a.m. 456 participants had pre-registered representing a total of 34 teams. Throughout the 24 hours the participant total had climbed to 534. People came from Bisbee, Douglas, Pirtleville, Double Adobe, Naco, Sierra Vista, Tucson, Yuma, the Phoenix areas, and California.

The event began with a blessing by Bishop Ivan Huish, LDS Church, the National Anthem sung by Sara Castillo, Douglas High School student, followed by the traditional survivor lap. A total of 59 survivors participated in the lap, after signing the decorative Relay canvas donated by Mr. Richard Paun and his art class at the Douglas High School.

Following the survivor lap, former Douglas resident and five-year throat cancer survivor, Mr. Louis McKay, Sr., sang for the crowd. Mr. McKay enjoys returning to Douglas to attend the annual Relay for Life.

Late afternoon brought a surprise presentation by Mr. Mike Solis, Douglas Food City Store Director. Food City had sponsored a car show during the day and presented a $650.00 check, representing the proceeds of the car show, to Relay organizers. This was in addition to the $250.00 Bronze Sponsorship previously donated by the store.

Activities were held throughout the 24 hours for the participants. These included musical chairs, three-legged races, and a pie eating contest. The traditional silent cake auction was also held. This year, a mini-jail-a-thon was held in the evening, which proved to be a huge success.

Each team selected a country and went all out decorating their campsite to go along with their theme. Countries represented were Australia, China, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Panama and the United States of America.

Mr. Christopher Stead, Community Relationship Manager for the American Cancer Society had the hard task of judging the tent decorating contest. The Douglas High School Student Council and Med Club were Jamaica. Southeast Arizona Medical Center represented Egypt complete with pyramids and King Tut. The Campaigner's for a Cure, comprised of the Cochise County Elections Department and the Sunnyside Fire Department Explorers, were the great USA. Dos Mariposas en El Cielo and the Purple People Cancer Eaters represented Mexico. Brown-Page Mortuary represented Italy and the City of Douglas represented Kenya.

The contest resulted in a tie for first place between the Douglas Police Department Explorers Post 454, who transformed their campsite into Greece complete with Toga wearing residents and the Cochise College Family and Friends team who had a surprise visitor - Deng Xiaoping - Community Party Leader of the People's Republic of China, along with dragons and Chinese lanterns. Both campsites were deserving of the win. Second place went to the Moonwalkers (Luna Family) for the Moroccan themed tent and third place to the Edmund Garcia Family for their Panamanian paradise, which included excellent coffee.

Prior to the Luminaria ceremony the crowds were entertained by Ms. Gemma German and Mr. Jorge Moreno, members of "Ballet Folklorico Nuestra Historia".

High winds almost caused the Luminaria ceremony to be cancelled. However, Mother Nature cooperated at the last minute and over 2,000 luminarias were lit while Mr. Abelardo Grijalva and Mrs. Alvina Hoyack alternated reading names on the bags in honor of those who have battled or are battling cancer, as well as in memory of those who lost their battle.

The traditional "Crazy Hat Lap and Contest" was held following the luminaria ceremony. The 3 winners were Ms. Liz Mitchell, SAMC, who wore a traditional Egyptian headdress, Mr. Casey Hoyack, Cochise College Family and Friends, wearing a Globe representing the Relay for Life theme, on a box atop his head, and Ms. Ana Peraza, City of Douglas, keeping with their Kenya themed campsite, wearing a boxed tiger.

Rain began once again at 3 a.m. but had very little effect on walkers. Many were seen circling the track carrying umbrellas or wearing hooded jackets.

As the sun came up on the Copper King baseball stadium, it was evident that Douglas had once again hosted a successful and fun-filled slumber party. Mr. Stead, an employee of the American Cancer Society since June, 2005, was amazed at the event. This being his first Relay, he was not sure what to expect. He was often overheard saying "amazing", "remarkable", "moving" and "awesome" throughout the 24 hours.

The final lap was turned into a Conga lap led by the enthusiastic Douglas High School Student Council and Med Club students. They took 2 trips around the field following Mrs. Rita Moreno, the sole walker of the Food City team. She rode on a Gator to celebrate her 10th year of walking the entire 24 hours.

Ms. Lisa Campoy, 2005 Relay Chairperson, conducted a raffle for those participants in attendance. Gift certificates were graciously donated by Mr. Carlos Ortiz, Yogi's Cafe, located at 524 8th Street, Douglas, Ariz.

Mr. Stead announced the top fundraising team for the 8th year in a row, Cochise College Family and Friends, who raised an impressive $9,062.85. The top individual fundraisers were: Roberto & Conception G. Munoz - $2,883.85; Casey & Patrick Hoyack - $2,555.00; and Ms. Kendra Baumgartner - $1,685.00. All are members of the Cochise College Family and Friends Team. Mrs. Moreno raised $1,446.00. The overall total raised as of 10 a.m. on Sunday was $34.940.40. This total will increase since participants still have one month to turn in any additional funds to the American Cancer Society.

The success of this year's event would not have been possible without the gracious donations of our sponsors. The Platinum Sponsors were Southeast Arizona Medical Center and Wal-Mart; Silver Sponsor - Southwest Gas; and Bronze Sponsors - Arizona Public Service, Border Mart, Brown-Page Mortuary, Inc., Cochise Water, Douglas Unified School District #27, Food City, Dr. Joanna Michelich and Dr. Karen Nicodemus, Gloria Garcia-Mariscal, M.D., P.C., KDAP 96.5 FM, Kid Biz Party Store, LLC, Las Dos Comadres, LM's Bodybuilders, Pizza Hut, Steven E. Salazar, The Daily Dispatch, The Special Rose, Wells Fargo Bank and Yogi's Cafe. Special thanks go to Maddux and Sons Trucking, St. Luke's Catholic Church and Immaculate Conception Church.

The money raised for the Relay for Life goes directly to the Society's mission to eradicate cancer - through cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services, like the Society's guestroom program, which affords cancer patients traveling from out of town the benefit of free lodging from area hotels and inns. More information may be obtained by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or http://www.cancer.org.