SALINAS VALLEY — American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of the Salinas Valley invites the community to join the movement to honor and remember loved ones and fight back for lifesaving change.
Opening ceremonies for the Sept. 23 event will kick off at 4 p.m. on Main Street in Salinas. Relay For Life is a community of survivors, caregivers, local citizens, volunteers and participants who believe that the future can be free from cancer and own the power to make that change.
“The communities throughout the Salinas Valley have an incredible passion to celebrate the lives of those impacted by cancer, and to lead the way for a world without cancer,” said Tiffany DiTullio, event co-lead. “In 2022, over $652,610 was raised locally here, in Monterey County, in support of the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society. In 2023, we are shooting for the moon!”
Relay For Life of the Salinas Valley begins with opening ceremonies at 4 p.m. The survivors and caregivers take the first lap, followed by a survivors’ reception. There will be entertainment throughout the event, along with a Kids Zone, all of which will be spread out throughout the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Main Street in the Salinas City Center.
The Relay will wrap up with the Luminaria Ceremony to be held at 8:30 p.m. This ceremony is a moving tribute of lit candle bags with the names of those lost to and battling cancer.
“This year we celebrate 26 years of Relay For Life of the Salinas Valley, working hard to fight the effects of cancer in our community,” said volunteer Mark Kennedy. “We are excited to bring Relay For Life back to the Salinas City Center and the opportunity for our dedicated volunteers and teams to honor survivors, caregivers and all those beautiful individuals lost to our enemy called cancer.”
For more than 35 years, Relay For Life has joined communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives. Dollars raised each year by over 500,000 Relay participants across the country help attack all cancers in countless ways — funding and conducting breakthrough research, providing education, advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their families, and providing essential services throughout their cancer journey.
“It’s never been easier to raise money for Relay For Life and help fund the future. Every dollar raised fuels the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. The fight against cancer needs you now more than ever,” said Prisca Segovia, event co-lead.
There are many ways to get involved:
- Join or donate to the Relay For Life of the Salinas Valley — sign up to join an existing team or start a new team at RelayForLife.org/salinasca.
- If you can’t participate, you can still help save lives by making a donation. Every dollar fuels the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Visit RelayForLife.org/salinasca to donate.
The event is supported by many local businesses and organizations including: Taylor Farms, Salinas Honda (proud members of the Del Grande Dealer Group), Salinas Valley Health, Braga Fresh and Tanimura & Antle.
To learn more about Relay For Life, visit RelayForLife.org or RelayForLife.org/SalinasCa.
