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Community Corner

Relay for Life Hits Home for Many

The eighth annual fundraiser takes place this weekend.

The eighth annual Relay For Life/Agoura Hills will take place this weekend at . The 24-hour fundraising event for the American Cancer Society is being held from 10 a.m. on April 16th to 10 a.m. on April 17th on the school’s athletic field.

“By participating, you honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives we've lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight cancer in your community,” said , event chairman.

This year, 484 local participants will be divided amongst 36 teams. So far, in total, they have raised over $67,000 towards the cause and hope to raise another $100,000, said Therwanger.

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Teams of people camp out at the school and take turns walking or running around a track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times, according the event’s official web site.

Therwanger explained that there will be new participants to this year’s fundraiser, including a presentation by the U.S. Marines' Color Guard. “The Marines will present at the opening ceremony and will walk the first lap with the survivors,” he said.

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Mayor Harry Schwarz is this year’s Honorary Chair and will speak at the opening ceremony. “Relay for Life represents hope for the many who cannot otherwise help themselves,” he said.

Schwarz will also represent the city’s 15-member team, “Team Agoura Hills.” Last year the team was the top fundraiser.

Julie Marcus heads the 10-member “Through Thick & Thin” team. This will be her fourth consecutive year of participation.

Cancer has touched Marcus’ life in a very personal way, she said. Her mom had breast cancer and died of lung cancer in 2007. Her close friend Marsi Rubin of Agoura Hills also passed away from breast cancer. “Last year, Marsi was dying, and we wheeled her down the track with her oxygen tanks. She died 3 weeks later,” she said.

Rubin’s sister, Randi, her brother-in-law Brian, and nephew, Sean, are all part of Marcus’ team. According to Marcus, Rubin’s son, Matt, and daughter, Michelle, will be coming in from out of town as well. “Marsi was instrumental in raising thousands of dollars last year,” she said.

Another team, the “P-Diddy’s Crew” from the Cheesecake Factory, has already raised over $16,500, making them the leaders at the moment.

Kathleen Sawyer of the Cheesecake Factory is the largest individual fundraiser, having raised almost $5,000. “I want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer,” she wrote in her blog.

One of the most moving aspects of the event is the Luminaria Ceremony, said Therwanger. “Lighted bags illuminate the night, and each one either celebrates the life of a survivor or commemorates the life of a lost loved one,” he said.

Therwanger said that the money will go to the Road to Recovery Program, which offers patients free shuttle bus rides to and from treatments. Other programs include beauty counseling, free hotel lodging for patients, and breast cancer counseling services. Approximately 41% of funds raised in California stay within the state.

Local Relay for Life sponsors this year include: the Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel, Starbucks Coffee, Gateway Church, Baxter Bio Science, and the City of Agoura Hills. The Cheesecake Factory will also provide refreshments.

Details of the relay can be found on their web site.

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