THROUGH THE NIGHT WALK RAISES CANCER FUNDS.Byline: Amy Raisin Darvish Staff Writer VALENCIA - After breast cancer survivor Candace Wells got past the initial fear, denial and anger that followed her diagnosis in 1999, the mother of two decided she would beat the disease and fight for a cure. Wells and her daughters, now 12 and 21, joined thousands of other cancer survivors Cancer survivors are those individuals with cancer of any type, current or past, who are still living. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) pioneered the definition of survivor as from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life, a person diagnosed with and their loved ones loved ones npl → seres mpl queridos loved ones npl → proches mpl et amis chers loved ones love npl Saturday to continue that fight at the seventh annual Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. Relay for Life Relay For Life (often shortened to Relay) is a fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and is now held in many other countries. It is an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebrate survivorship and raise money , organized by the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, and held at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. . ``My girls were 5 and 14 when I was diagnosed,'' said Wells, 52, of Newhall. ``Eventually, I decided I could use this to show them that I could survive. I don't want my girls to have to teach their girls what cancer is, the way I had to.'' Event organizers hope to be about $550,000 closer to their fundraising goal after the Relay for Life wraps up at 9 a.m. today. The 24-hour event, which raised more than $450,000 last year, draws supporters of all ages who walk around a track to raise money for cancer research. Participants arrived early Saturday and pitched tents around the track, many decorated with pink breast cancer awareness ribbons This is a list of awareness ribbons. The meaning behind the awareness ribbon depends on its color or colors. Many groups have adopted ribbons as symbols of support or awareness, and as a result, many causes often share each color. , funky hand-painted signs and photos of both cancer survivors and those who lost their battle with the disease. Donna Ashmore, an oncology nurse oncology nurse Nursing A nurse specialized in treating and caring for people with cancer Salary $53K + 2% bonus. See Oncology. at the UCLA-Santa Clarita Valley Cancer Center, on the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Campus in Valencia, founded the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of the American Cancer Society and helped launch the first local Relay for Life seven years ago. The previous six events have raised a total of $1.7 million for cancer research, Ashmore said. ``This has just taken off incredibly,'' she said during a break from walking the track. ``The event offers camaraderie for everyone. Every person here - survivors, family, volunteers - as you sit here and watch them, they're all connected by cancer.'' A committee of about 35 volunteers organized this year's Relay for Life, securing donations, sponsors and participants. Wells' younger daughter, Kelsey, said she has grown up attending the event and looks forward to it every year. ``I remember my mom telling me she had cancer, but I was so young,'' the 12-year-old said. ``I feel really sad when I see anybody who has to deal with cancer, but I'm so grateful that my mom's a survivor. And I love coming to the relay. ``It's one of my favorite things every summer, to come here and be with my friends. ... It's such an important thing, and it's really fun.'' Amy Raisin Darvish, (661) 257-5254 amy.raisin(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Dinise Craig of Canyon Country lifts Gracie Bloom-Craig, 2, into the air at the annual Santa Clarita Valley Relay for Life on Saturday. The 24-hour event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. (2 -- 3) Above, Kevin Enge, 12, of Valencia lines up a row of luminarias, each with the names of cancer survivors, at the Relay for Life event Saturday. Below, Dr. Bernard Lewinsky, a radiation oncologist radiation oncologist Radiation therapist A radiologist specialized in using radioactive substances and x-rays to treat tumors and CA; an oncologist who uses various formats of radiation to manage CA Salary ± $200K. See Oncologist. at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, chats with Colleen Shaffer of Newhall. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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