With tents pitched on the football field and RVs circled round the A.B. Miller High School track, the Fontana Relay For Life teams assembled for 24-hours of fun and commitment to finding a cure for cancer.  Although more money is expected to trickle in over the next two weeks, organizers estimate the Fontana Relay For Life raised close to $100,000.

"The funds raised will enable us to expand our services to cancer patients and their families, to offer more educational programs that will reduce people's risk of getting cancer, and to expand cancer research programs," said Jackie Mitchell, lead staff for Relay For Life in the Inland Empire.

The event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, began on Saturday, May 6 and concluded on Sunday, May 7.  After the Opening Ceremony, cancer survivors, followed by all of the Relay participants, took to the track kicking off the festivities with the Survivors' Lap.  "There's a lot of hope and faith and love in this community, and it's all coming together here today," said Shawn Burgo, who co-chaired the event with his wife, Janie.

Hundreds of people participated in the 6th Annual Relay For Life in the city of Fontana.  Taking turns, the participants lapped the track and mingled with other Relayers off it.  Key Clubs and ROTC groups from local schools helped out at the event, which included entertainment by dancers, singers, and musicians, as well as lunch and dinner provided by the Kiwanis Club of Fontana.

The Luminaria Ceremony, held Saturday night, was a special time of reflection, hope and inspiration.  White bags filled with sand and a glowing candle were placed around the track, each one dedicated in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of someone who has passed away from cancer.  The luminarias encircled the track and lit the way as the Relayers walked throughout the night, pausing along the way as they read the dedications or looked for luminiarias of loved ones.

After camping out over night, the participants enjoyed breakfast provided by the Fontana Breakfast Lions Club and attended the Closing Ceremony on Sunday morning.   Thanks to all of our generous sponsors and tireless volunteers.  It is thanks to your dedication and commitment that the 6th Annual Relay For Life was such a great success.