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Remembering the past with a focus on the future The hundreds of people gathered at Claremont High School stadium last weekend hope each lap will bring us one step closer to finding a cure for cancer. Claremont's Relay for Life brought people together to honor the victims of cancer, celebrate the present cancer survivors and continue hope for the future. “No age, no race, no sex and no bounds exist for this disease,” said Claremont Relay for Life event chair Nusha Shishegar. “It's an equal opportunity disease. One day, we hope that no one will ever have to light a glow stick in honor of somebody who has died from cancer. One day, we will change our hope into a cure.” The annual Claremont rendition of Relay for Life is just one of thousands of similar events taking place throughout the country each year. The events raised money for the American Cancer Society towards cancer research for more than 25 years. Opening ceremonies and a celebration were held during the day on Saturday, with closing ceremonies on Sunday morning. Throughout the event, the teams hosted games carnival style, participants donated locks of hair and a wishing tree in the remembrance garden was filled with notes for loved ones who have died from cancer or presently live with the disease. During the Luminaria Ceremony, caregiver Teresa Brown shared the story of her parent's struggle with cancer. Both of her parents died from the disease during this decade. “Being a caregiver, it can be an incredible challenge and very difficult to watch someone you love suffer,” Ms. Brown explained. “You feel helpless. But you're not really helpless, you're helpful because they don't have to go through it alone.” Ms. Brown encouraged those in attendance to get regular check-ups in order to detect traces of the disease as early as possible. With lung and bronchus cancer being the top form of the disease in both men and women according to a 2009 report by the American Cancer Society, she also pleaded for people to give up smoking. Yet the caregiver is filled with hope and optimism for the future. “I have great hope when I see new teams joining us because that means more people are out there and are going into battle with us,” she said. “My greatest hope is that one day the phrase 'you have cancer' will be gone.” The Claremont Chorale Group performed “Take My Hand” and “Footprints” before the hundreds of people gathered on the track for the All-Participant lap. Bagpiper Sean Keating played “Amazing Grace” and followed up with an upbeat tune to complete the reflective lap.
Mr. Keating has played the bagpipe at the last 4 Claremont Relay of Life events. The musician's main instrument is the trombone, but he has played the bagpipe for 9 years. “My trombone teacher from high school was the co-chair of the event 4 years ago and she asked me to play,” said Mr. Keating, who grew up in Upland. “This was also a chance to donate my time in memory of my bagpipe teacher from high school who died of cancer. I think this Relay for Life is really great compared to the others I've been to. It's bigger, more organized and it's very enjoyable.” The winners of the “Best Tent Decoration” award, Super Troopers were one of the new participating teams this year. They were dressed in camouflage and their tent contained a military camouflage theme with the American, U.S. Marine, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army flags. When her father died last October, team captain Rachel Tenerelli began assembling a Relay for Life team just a few months later. The 16-year-old feels the event takes on more significance during the evening segment. “It's all really good but I like it at night because you see more people on the track than during the day,” Rachel said. “And with the glow sticks in the bags around the track, it's almost like they light the way.” Made up of 30 members, Claremont High School's team continues to be an annual presence at the event. According to team captain Terra Ojeda, the annual occasion is a favorite among her peers who participate. “It's always been my absolute favorite event of the year,” Terra pointed out. “It's so much fun and we are glad just to help out any way we can. Just the amount of people who are impacted is amazing and you see everyone helping out.” A survivor of cervical cancer, Hope Floats team member Lisa Lewick believes each person has a unique experience during the weekend. Having participated for 3 years, this year's occasion was special for Ms. Lewick as she walked the Survivor's Lap with her father, who is a survivor of melanoma cancer. Her best friend's father and her boyfriend also joined them for the lap. “It's very powerful and for my father to walk is a big deal,” Ms. Lewick said. “When I came the first time, I didn't know what to think about this event. But I remember when I stepped out onto the track for the survivor lap and I looked at a lady and just busted out crying. It turned out that the lady was the mayor of Claremont at the time. I told my mom that I think about and pray for people all day during this event. I think I've prayed more today than I have in the last few months.”
—Landus Rigsby |
