Raising over $142,000 in the fight against cancer, residents of numerous Central Valley communities – including Escalon – took part in the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour Relay For Life this past weekend at Johansen High School in Modesto.
This year’s theme was Carnival for a Cure and many of the teams offered up carnival games or carnival-themed food, while a special Kids Camp was set up to keep the youngest Relay attendees occupied. Music from several bands was featured on stage throughout the day and the event started with the Opening Ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17 with activities continuing through Sunday morning, May 18.
Presenting sponsor for the 2025 event was Kaiser Permanente.
A prayer, the National Anthem, words from a guest speaker representing Kaiser and introductions of some dignitaries in attendance were all part of that ceremony, along with an update on progress made through ACS CAN, the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, the legislative side of ACS.
Once the formal ceremony was concluded, all adjourned to the track at Johansen for the dove release, with a bagpiper then leading the cancer survivors on their first lap around the track. Members from the teams set up for Relay lined the track to blow bubbles at and cheer on the survivors with everyone joining in for lap two, officially kicking off the 24-hour event.
Among those attending were sisters Dorinda Melo and Rosemary Fernandes of Escalon; both are cancer survivors and were members of the Cost Less team at this year’s event as they work for the company. They have a long history with Relay For Life; Rosemary started with the Cost Less team several years ago in Modesto – at Johansen – and then took part in Escalon’s event when her husband, Jeff Fernandes was the event chairperson there.
“I’ve been going to Relay since I was very young, for a while,” added daughter Mia Fernandes, a junior this year at EHS.
Mom Rosemary remembered that first year in Escalon, a Relay For Life that was besieged by an unexpected June downpour, turning the track around Engel Field into a mud pit.
Through the various sites, dates and weather conditions, Rosemary said the goal remains the same, raising money and awareness while supporting cancer survivors and their families.
“We’re here every year,” she said.
There were 59 teams registered for the event and the majority had campsites set up around the track at Johansen. Top three teams in terms of fundraising were MLB, followed by Meet the Flockers and then Heart, Hope and Soul Sisters. There were more than 350 registered participants, with the individual top fundraisers including Kim Kauffman with MLB at the top of the list, followed by Brenda Machado with The Cure Guides and Monica Saucedo of Meet the Flockers.
