Relay For Life kicks of 21st year in Salinas

It’s an annual event that raises millions of dollars for the American Cancer Society and this year marks the 21st anniversary of Relay for Life in Salinas.

Of the event’s many highlights, the Luminaria ceremony is one of the most powerful, lighting up the track with candles and bags, each remembering a life touched by cancer.

The event will run for 19 hours and up to 2,000 people are expected to come through.

Eighty teams will be camping out overnight.

The Salinas Relay has raised millions since it started but those participating and those behind the event say it’s also about the community. Giving them a chance to share stories of triumph and grief.

“This is a place to heal,” said long-time volunteer Rochelle Lowman-Hall whose aunt faced cancer and who also lost a close friend to it, “Every time I meet someone that tells me that they lost someone or someone was just diagnosed, I tell them to come to Relay.”

“Even though cancer sucks, people are always here with an energy to fight together,” said Ana Silvestre who organized the Survivor and Caregiver events, “To celebrate life and commemorate those that are fighting and remember those that we lost along the way.”

The closing ceremony for the 21st Relay for Life Salinas is Saturday at noon.

The event is happening as the Salinas Sports Complex on North Main

For more information about Relay for Life and how to donate, click here.