Relay For Life Concord To Fight Cancer One Step At a Time

Local cancer survivors, caregivers and those who have lost loved ones to the disease will take part in a 24-hour relay walk July 13 and 14 to "celebrate, remember and fight back."

Participants in the Concord Relay For Life have already raised more than $11,000 for the American Cancer Society to pay for cancer research and patient resources.

The 2013 Relay for Life in Concord takes place from 10 a.m. on July 13 to 10 a.m. July 14 and starts with a lap walked by cancer survivors . A luminaria ceremony will be held Saturday at 9 p.m. to remember those lost to cancer, and a "Fight Back" ceremony will close the Relay at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning. 

“Pretty much everyone knows somebody affected by cancer, whether they’ve had it themselves or a family member or friend,” said Elizabeth Cofer, event chairwoman, as quoted in a press release. “It’s a powerful day for a lot of people.”

Activities are planned throughout the day and evening for registered kids and adults including music, dance groups and a midnight movie.

To date, the Concord event has 22 teams and 115 participants.

“We are still receiving registrations for teams and participants,” said Cathy Guzman, Team Recruitment Chair, as quoted in a press release. “We expect to have a lot more people show up than are actually registered.”

This is the first year that the event will be held in Todos Santos Plaza. 

“We are so excited to bring the event to downtown," said Cofer. "The community has really rallied around recognizing how many people are touched by cancer.”

For more information about registering for the Relay for Life or to make donations, visit the group’s website relayforlife.org/ConcordCA.

Are you taking part in Relay For Life Concord? Why? Share your story in the comments below.