Pink Wings 4 Breast Cancer : Relay for Life Raises $72,000 at Marquez

Relay for Life Raises $72,000 at Marquez

April 27, 2006

By JONATHAN MERWITZER

Special to the Palisadian-Post

Photo / Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Cancer survivors, wearing purple t-shirts, line up behind survivorship co-chairs Courtney Zinszer (holding her daughter) and Julie Dresner (to Zinszer

Participants in the third annual American Cancer Society Pacific Palisades Relay For Life braved the weather at Marquez Charter Elementary School this past Saturday and Sunday to raise $72,000' with more checks still coming in.

''The top fundraising teams were Anderson's Amigos, the Palisades Optimist Club, Ellen's Playmates and Paint the Palisades Purple Again.

''During the opening ceremonies, 37 cancer survivors wearing purple T-shirts walked around the track carrying a banner and a purple chain of 324 circles to represent their total years of surviving cancer. Alon Sugarman, a freshman at Palisades High, led this lap. Over the next 24 hours, many more survivors arrived and donned their purple shirts.

''Cathie Wishnick, one of the survivors who spoke during the opening ceremony, said, 'Last year I did not attend Relay For Life. My family was here, my friends were here from Kehillat Israel and the Optimist Club. They were marching with a banner that said 'We are walking to support Cathie.' I didn't know about it because I was in intensive care and on life support. Wow, I'm here today thanks to wonderful medicine, doctors and research, thanks to friends and family, and a lot of prayer from churches and synagogues in Pacific Palisades. I'm feeling fine.'

''Julie Dresner, a three-time cancer survivor, said: ' I have learned to live with a much different attitude. I have learned to live with wellness'focusing on the good health I do have, as opposed to the worrying about what if. Hope is the greatest healer.'

''The lights were turned off at 9 p.m. on Saturday and the luminaria bags were illuminated in honor, memory and support of those who have been touched by cancer.

''Bernie Romano, chairperson of the luminaria committee, reported over 400 luminarias had been sold, raising $4,000.

'''We saw people who came and walked for loved ones who are no longer with us or supporting people who are going through treatment,' Romano said. 'We walked to honor survivors who are still around for their loved ones.'

''Stevie Cantor and Heidi Jenkins from Sunset West cut hair for Locks of Love, which takes donated hair and makes wigs for children who experience medical hair loss. The participants' Ann Powell, Wendy Milo, Heather Medina and Julianna DeFelippis'each donated more than 10 inches of their own hair. Powell was the team and sponsorship chair.

Mike and Jeff Hansberger, who own Del Taco restaurants, sold food for lunch and donated the proceeds to Relay for Life. Heather Medina, manager of the Barrington/Sunset Starbucks, coordinated volunteers from several stores to provide beverage service for 24 hours. Mike Mahoney of the Palisades Starbucks brewed the coffee and hot chocolate that was delivered throughout the event.

'''This event gives us a chance to get out of the store and connect to the community,' said Medina. Meanwhile, Palisades resident Patti Sinaiko made sure there was food throughout the entire event, Lainie Sugarman coordinated youth involvement, Dana Fein (a teacher at Marquez) coordinated the set-up at the school, Mary Jane and Matt Leonetti arranged to provide lighting and power for the entire venue, and Carolyn Haselkorn was praised for coordinating the auction and entertainment .

''Morgan Genser, a Palisades High graduate, photographed the event for the Santa Monica College Corsair. He stayed all 24 hours, camping out with the teams.