The 24-hour Relay for Life is returning to Lakewood on Saturday, May 19, at 9:00 a.m., at the Artesia High School track. Teams of friends, neighbors, families, co-workers, school and church groups will keep at least one member walking the course during the relay “because cancer never sleeps."

At the relay, people gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. More than 500 participants and more than 40 teams are expected at the Lakewood event.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event held at many locations nationwide during the spring and summer. The goal of the overnight event is to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer.
 

Lakewood teams and volunteers are gathering now. Get involved by attending one of the local organizing meetings held at the Lakewood Village Community Church, 4919 Centralia Avenue (at Sunfield Avenue), on the third Monday of each month. Team captains meet at 6:30 p.m., and the organizing committee meets at 7:30 p.m.

The meetings are a great way to get up to speed on forming your own team, or learning about volunteering. Prospective teams will find materials online at www.relayforlife.org/lakewoodca. The local event chairperson, Joy Janes, can be reached at 562-221-4464, or at relay@joyjanes.org. American Cancer Society staffer Sara Clickenger can be reached at 562-437-0792, extension 230, or sara.clickenger@cancer.org.

‘Bark for Life!’ fund raiser event is coming in March

A new local pre-event fundraiser called “Bark for Life!” is planned for Saturday, March 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Gompers Elementary School. It is being organized by the Your Elegant Pet Boutique and is a mini-relay for dogs and their owners.

For more information, or to register, contact Debbie Yettaw at 562-529-8414, or yourelegantpet@hotmail.com. Or, stop by the shop at 4332 South Street in Lakewood.