Costa Mesa may get lane in fundraiser

June Casagrande

Look out, Costa Mesa. A flagship Newport Beach event wants you.

The Newport Beach Relay for Life, an all-night fundraiser now in

its third year, is reaching out to the neighbor city for a hand in

bringing in money and awareness for cancer.

“This year, we’re going to be going around to some of the

businesses, school and churches in Costa Mesa to get them involved as

well,” said Pat Smith, volunteer organizer for the Relay for Life and

a longtime cancer survivor.

Last year, Smith said, a number of Costa Mesa residents and school

representatives were already jumping on the bandwagon. Now, it’s

clear that the demand is there for Costa Mesa residents to jump in

and lend a hand, she said.

Relay for Life committee members have announced the dates for this

year’s event, May 14 and 15 -- a week later than in other years.

Organizers hope that moving the date will bring better luck with the

weather: Rain was the uninvited guest at the event for its first two

years, with a particularly impressive downpour last year.

The relay begins at 6 p.m. on a Friday at the Newport Harbor High

School’s athletic field and continues until 6 p.m. the next day. Team

members take turns walking or jogging around the field throughout the

night, while their teammates socialize or party in tents on the

sidelines. Teams pay $150 to participate, and often choose to

contribute more. For example, the City Slickers team of Newport Beach

City Hall staff members raised $9,400 last year.

The money goes to programs of the American Cancer Society,

including research, education and services for cancer patients and

survivors.

Newport Beach Councilman Steve Bromberg, who is a cancer survivor,

had the first team to sign up this year. His “Council Critters” team,

which usually has about 16 people, wouldn’t miss it for the world, he

said.

Is he threatened by the idea of Costa Mesa getting in on the

glory? Not at all.

“We would be so excited to have Costa Mesa, our neighbor,

participate,” Bromberg said. “It all goes to the bottom line, which

is battling cancer,” he said.

For information on the Newport Beach Relay for life or to enter a

team, contact Stephanie Taylor at (949) 261-9446 or by e-mail at

[email protected], or visit https://www.cancer.org.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].