Celebrate with Lemon Grove Relay for Life Saturday at Palm Middle School

The community will come together as one to celebrate life and support the fight against cancer during the seventh annual Lemon Grove Relay for Life.

The 24-hour event takes place at Palm Middle School this year, with walkers on the track around the clock to illustrate the all too painful reality that cancer never sleeps.

“The Road to Hope” will kick off with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday at the school. As is tradition, cancer survivors, dressed in honorary purple T-shirts, and their caregivers will take the inaugural lap on the field.

With 26 teams registered online, and nearly 200 participants, $17, 285 has already been raised locally for the American Cancer Society to support patients, caregivers and survivors in treatment and recovery.

The weekend will be filled with live entertainment from soloists, bands, vocal harmony groups, African drummers and much more, and feature raffles, food, dancing, and family friendly activities.

As night falls, the luminaria ceremony will light up the night to celebrate, remember and fight back in honor of loved ones who have battled cancer, whether they have won or lost the fight.

Sunday morning dawns with a sunrise service.

Join your neighbors in the cause. The Lemon Grove Relay for Life takes place from 9 a.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday at Palm Middle School, 8425 Palm St.

Go online to see which teams have raised the most money so far—and if you can’t make it out to the event, make a donation on the relay web site.

And congratulations to the Top 10 team participants for their individual fundraising:

• Kathy Brian, Team Cheryl & Family, $2,725

• John Paton, Team Cheryl & Family, $660

• Stephanie Boyce, City Slickers, $642.50

• Marjie Cappiello, City Slickers, $622.50

• Hortencia Jordan, Liberty, $536.78

• Jerry Ring, Christian Church of Lemon Grove, $375

• Paul Trebbian, Sweet Feet, $350

• Jeremy Rayos, Walking Warriors, $325

• Charlene Waddell, Liberty, $285

• Katie Dexter, Sweet Feet, $250

Keep up the good work!