Lacing Up To Fight Cancer

Sonora, CA — Hundreds in the Mother Lode will walk overnight Saturday in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life to raise awareness and funds for research, education, advocacy and patient services.

It’s a 24 hour event where volunteers bring their tents and camp out while tag-teaming running or walking around a track. Organizers say the overnight stay is to symbolize how cancer never sleeps.  The teams, backed by sponsors, are made up of 5 to 15 members each taking turns on the track making sure someone is circling it all through the night. Cancer survivors are celebrated and honored in the first lap of the night. The second lap, they take to the track. Luminary bags line the loop with names of loved ones and messages of hope.

In Tuolumne County, the event begins at 9 a.m. at Sonora Elementary School off Greenley Road in Sonora. In Calaveras County, the relay will begin at 10 a.m. at Calaveras High School in San Andreas. There are more than 4,800 events taking place across the country.