‘Relay for Life of Eagle Rock’ Kicks Off Sunday

In May last year, 163 people formed 17 teams and raised an average of $100 each (a total of $16,378) in an overnight camp-out event that has become de rigueur for community-oriented folks in and well beyond Eagle Rock—Relay for Life, the annual fundraiser by the American Cancer Society held at the Eagle Rock High School athletic field.

This year’s Relay for Life offers another opportunity for the community-minded and charitable to contribute to the nation’s battle against cancer—starting Sunday.

That’s right—tomorrow, Sunday. The actual relay is scheduled for May 19, but the event’s logistical details—including signing up to start your own team—are being ironed out on February 19, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. the Coffee Table Lounge.

For those who don’t know about Eagle Rock’s Relay for Life—or would like to know more or be reminded—the event revolves around teams that coalesce by word of mouth or via online campaigns and walk around the school’s athletic track for 24 hours. Each teams tries to keep a team member in motion on the track at all times—and some individuals choose to run for as long as an hour or more.

Although the event is officially known as “Relay for Life of Eagle Rock,” it’s open to most of North East Los Angeles, particularly Glassell Park, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Hermon.

If you want to form your own relay team but can only think of only three or four people who might join it—you, your spouse and the kids perhaps—don’t worry: Nobody needs to have their team lined up yet—because team members can be added online right until Relay Day, May 19. (There will be a special team registration fee of $20.12 on May 19.)

Those who don’t feel inclined to start their own team and would rather join a group already in the race are welcome to volunteer to become part of the event’s planning committee.

Click here for more details about the event, and note this email address for any questions you might have: eaglerockrelay2012@gmail.com.

Relay for Life of Eagle Rock kick-off. Sunday, February 19, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Coffee Table Lounge, 1954 Colorado Boulevard.