Relay for Life a true team effort

By Linda DeMonte Special to the Moorpark Acorn

Treasure seekers and looky-loos not only pick up unique goodies these days but can also help support Moorpark’s Relay for Life. Proceeds from several area garage sales in recent weeks and two more slated for tomorrow, April 3, will help support teams participating in the 24-hour fundraiser for the American Cancer Society that takes place April 24 and 25 at Moorpark College Stadium.

Kim Francis, captain of "The Firewalkers" team and her teenage neighbor, Amy Reid, staged a side-by-side garage sale last Saturday that netted about $1,000 and kept them busy most of the day, Francis said.

"Everyone knows someone who has experienced cancer," said Reid, 16. "A lot of people were moved to see youth involved and one guy gave extra money," she added.

Reid and Heather Randall, 17, are co-captains of "Hippies for Hope," a team of about 20 Moorpark teenagers who plan to incorporate the event’s ’60s theme into their attitude and attire.

"It’s such a great event. I love it," Reid said.

This is the fourth year Moorpark has hosted its local version of the national fundraising event. Teams form and members take turns relay-style on the track, with at least one member per team on the track for the 24-hour period.

This year about 70 teams, comprised of businesses, service clubs, schools, youth groups, families and friends will take part.

"Everyone is looking forward to a great community event and that’s what it should be," said Karen Coughlon, a breast cancer survivor who is credited with introducing the relay to Moorpark in 2000. "It’s a celebration of life," she added.

Each team member is asked to raise a minimum of $100, which entitles them to a commemorative event T-shirt, meals—including lunch donated, prepared and served by Outback Steakhouse— and more.

Diana Fowler and Kathy Farber, co-captains of "F-Troop," held a garage sale two weeks ago. They noticed people were rounding up their totals and not accepting change when they learned what the money was for. All Relay for Life proceeds go to fund research and development of drugs to prevent and treat cancer, to patient services and to educational outreach.

At 7 a.m. Saturday, Mary Fry, captain of "Team Diva," will join with about 20 of her teammates, all of them members of the Maverick Sports Club, for a garage sale at Glenwood Park at the corner of Harvester and Tierra Rejada.

"One year ago I got a call that my best girlfriend from high school had died of cancer. This is such an opportunity to put something positive to her memory," Fry said.

Also tomorrow, "Team Trudy" will host a garage sale from 6 a.m. until noon at 13513 Adlena Place, off Vista Del Valle, at the home of Donna Trella, said co-captain Angie Shoop. This mega-team from Holy Cross Catholic Church formed to support a church choir member recently diagnosed with cancer and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

"Unfortunately, we’ve all been touched by cancer in some way or maybe through a family member," Shoop said.

The community is encouraged to experience the event and walk the track even if not registered to a team. There will be food, entertainment, activities and opportunities to donate throughout the day.

Garage sales aren’t the only creative way participants have devised to raise money. Ana Pacheco, 15, and Mayra Cano, 16, co-captains of a 35-member team of Moorpark High students, will host a car wash April 17 at the Chevron Station at Spring Road and Los Angeles Avenue. Cost for the car wash is $5.

Doctors Curtis Kodama and Nhat Vo of Moorpark Comprehensive Medical Group on Princeton Avenue found a painless way to raise money for their team.

"What we find is that people including us don’t like to ask for money," Kodama said.

They used digital photos from last year’s event to create an informative and visual newsletter that gave family members and other medical offices they work with a glimpse of the event. Then they asked for support for their team.

"We made it really easy by including a self-addressed stamped envelope, and within four days the envelopes were pouring in with generous donations," Kodama said.

Mention Relay for Life at Baja Fresh on April 13 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a portion of the total will benefit the Survivor Breakfast, said Moorpark breast cancer survivor Jill Quejada. The celebratory Survivor Lap kicks off the event Saturday after the opening ceremony and sets the tone of hope that survivors represent.

For more information, call (805) 527-5360 or 529-1036.