The color purple was in full force Saturday at Freedom High School as the Oakley Relay for Life kicked off the 24-hour event around the track to help fight caner. The event, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, is a community effort where teams are formed and at least one member walks the track for a period of 24-hours.
The event kicked off with Anastasia Billings, Relay Event Chair, welcoming the participants and getting the crowd ready for the event. Assemblyman Jim Frazier spoke about how one day because of your efforts the world will beat cancer.
He was followed by Daniel Melot who didn’t leave a dry eye in the audience when he spoke about losing his mother, Carrie Melot to cancer late last year.
Melot shared his experience of being picked up from school one day and his dad telling him “its back” which he knew what he meant by that and going home and giving his mother the biggest hug he could give while her telling her to “kick its ass”.
The event then immediately kicked off with the Survivors Lap. During the Survivors Lap, all cancer survivors at the event take the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while cheered on by the other participants who line the track.
As of 5:30 am Sunday morning, the website states the event has raised $79,423 with 45 teams and 443 participants. Oakley Vice Mayor Doug Hardcastle and Councilwoman Diane Burgis were in attendance to show support.
