Sandy Relay for Life, a benefit for American Cancer Association, returns this weekend

Celebrate. Remember. Fight back.

These are the goals of Relay for Life, an overnight relay-style event that brings communities across the globe together to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

This year’s Sandy relay, which runs this weekend, has drawn 174 participants and 13 teams, thus far raising $20,179.

“Cancer has claimed too many friends, family members, neighbors and colleagues,” says Mindy Rocha-Barella, chairwoman. “Relay for Life has been rewarding, challenging, emotionally charged and awesome. I get to help lead a crusade against something that has taken too much from us.”

This marks Rocha-Barella’s third year with the Sandy relay and fifth year with the event.

Working in the funeral industry, she helps families grieve the loss of those who’ve been lost to cancer. She sees family members and friends directly and indirectly impacted by cancer.

And her husband, a combat veteran, is predisposed to cancer because of the toxic chemicals he was exposed to in Iraq.

“I chose to lead the fight against cancer in hopes that I can make a difference against this disease,” Rocha-Barella says. “So that hopefully one more life can be saved, one more person will persevere and so that a cure may be found before my husband has to worry about his unfortunate fate. 

“Relay is about community — friends, family and neighbors coming together to fight against something that has touched us all," Rocha-Barella says. "It gives us all an opportunity to have control over such a powerless thing while providing hope that someday we will live in a world with less cancer.”

The Sandy Relay for Life starts at noon Saturday, July 28, on the Cedar Ridge Middle School track and will conclude at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 29, with a closing ceremony.

Sprinkled throughout the event are presentations, games, competitions, entertainment, food and ceremonies including the luminaria.

Participants camp out at Cedar Ridge for 24 hours, taking turns walking around the track and advancing the idea that cancer never sleeps.

The three leading Sandy relay teams this year are Team Ramrod!, Salt & Light and Ever Fresh Fruit Company 1, while the top fundraisers are Machel Heldstab, Roxanne Ramirez and Kelly French.

For more information, call Mindy Rocha-Barella at 503-575-6650 or visit main.acsevents.org.