Hundreds of community members gathered together for a night of walking during Hollister’s 19th annual Relay for Life event, held at Ladd Lane Elementary School on Friday, August 3. The event featured live music, activities, and guest speakers.
Cathy Alameda, a cancer survivor, received the Kathy Ritter Survivor Award for her service and contributions to the program.
“We’re going to keep fighting and we’re going to win,” said Alameda.
This was the first time the fundraising event was held at Ladd Lane Elementary School. Previously, the all-night event had taken place at San Benito High School’s Andy Hardin Stadium, but was forced to relocate after strong winds sent the announcer box crashing into the stands last year.
“We have a small but strong community here in Hollister,” said Robbie Russell, co-organizer of the event.
Russell voiced concerns that the nearest cancer treatment centers for patients living in Hollister are located in Monterey, Salinas, and San Jose. Russell and her team are trying to recruit volunteer drivers to drive patients to the nearest cancer treatment centers.
Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society with thousands of communities involved across 27 different countries. The event began in May 1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt walked for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, WA at the University of Puget Sound. Klatt walked over 83 miles and raised $27,000 in money for cancer research.