‘We’re all a family’

Ten years ago, breast cancer survivor Faye Dietiker was on the brink of death.

It was then that the large tumor lodged in her breast metastasized to other organs in her body, deteriorating her condition to stage four breast cancer — the most perilous form doctors recognize.

Miraculously, though not without hard work and determination, Dietiker managed to wrest herself from the throes of cancer, and she has dedicated her life to helping others face her former demon.

She’s since raised funds for cancer walks, offered moral support to victims and started Breast Cancer Angels, a nonprofit organization that assists women with the economic struggles they may face while undergoing treatment.

“I try to do as much as I can — I’m 62 years old, and I’m slowing down, though,” she joked.

As heroic and inspiring as her story may be, Dietiker is not alone. She was one of more than 1,000 participants to brave the heat and march in the city’s seventh annual Relay for Life Saturday, honoring cancer survivors, victims and their supporters in the field of Newport Harbor High School.

The event was so successful that organizers pushed their initial fundraising goal of $175,000 up to $200,000, when the former amount was quickly reached in the initial moments of the event.

By Saturday afternoon, that amount had reached $190,000, organizer Peggy Fort said.

“It’s been amazing. The event is going extremely well,” she said. “The amount of participation from the community has been incredible.”

The relay, which lasts 24 hours, symbolizes the struggles cancer victims must face every day, Fort said.

“[Victims] can’t give up,” she said. “[The walk] signifies what its like for someone to be battling cancer 24 hours a day, because it never ends for them.”

But, the event wasn’t all exercise. Local bands and entertainers kept participants amused, and a raffle drive offered all sorts of memorabilia to those willing to test their luck.

Fort also stressed that residents had one more opportunity to contribute to the event, by purchasing $50 tickets to a charity cruise sponsored by the Society from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 5.

Until then, however, participants will continue walking around the track until 10 a.m. today. Rose Sotomontano walked a number of laps with her two daughters, whom she said helped her beat simultaneous cervical and ovarian cancers three years ago.

It was the first time the Pico Rivera resident took part in such an event, saying she was spurred to action in a display of solidarity with a coworker recently diagnosed with the disease.

“We’re all a family, us survivors,” she said.

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CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at [email protected].