Relay event set as cancer fund-raiser

There are plenty of charitable fund-raising events, but few that show the results of all the money and effort being donated.

All least that's how Patty McGonigal feels.

McGonigal, a business analyst for Household Credit Services and one of the coordinators of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Summerlin, was diagnosed with cancer in 1996. She said she had chosen not to participate in events like this one because she didn't want to "live cancer," but the Relay for Life holds a different meaning.

"This is a real celebration of life and survivorship," McGonigal said. "What this relay really is about is showing awareness and what has been done. I know without the research and fund raising, I wouldn't be here.

"This event is about life, hope and a celebration of success."

Summerlin residents will get their chance to take part in the celebration and support the cause when the third Relay for Life begins at 4 p.m., today and runs through Sunday, at Willows Park, 2275 Desert Marigold Lane.

Participants in the Relay for Life, broken up into 30 noncompetitive teams of five to 15 people, will walk, run, jog and push baby strollers around the track for 16 hours, in shifts, to increase cancer awareness. When not on the track, team members will be preparing for an overnight camp out and taking part in entertainment and events.

To officially open relay ceremonies, cancer survivors of all ages are invited to walk the first "victory" lap around the track. A special dinner for survivors and their families will follow.

"The relay is a combination of celebrating those cancer survivors' lives and remembering those we've lost," American Cancer Society spokeswoman Paulette Salti said. "It's a very emotional event. It brings you back to why we're all trying to raise funds in the first place."

Another special ceremony is scheduled for 9 p.m. when candles will be lit to remember those who lost their lives to cancer. The community can participate by purchasing luminarias honoring survivors or those lost to cancer for a small donation to the American Cancer Society. Each luminaria will have the individual's name written on it and placed along the track throughout the relay.

One of the sponsors of the event, the Howard Hughes Corp., has assembled one large team to participate in today's relay.

"This is our first year being involved with the Relay for Life, and it's a good event for us to take part in," said Rosa Silver, spokeswoman for the Hughes Corp. "We are very excited about getting out there and supporting the American Cancer Society."