Elsia Kelly, Grace Gomez and Gwen Traylor point to different areas of the Pacana Park soccer field as they go over the last minute details for Friday night’s Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society event that has so far rasied more than $45,000 to fight the disease. It’s a first-time event for the city of Maricopa.
“This field isn’t going to be just any field,” said a smiling Grace Gomez, co-chair for the event. “It’s going to become a Field of Dreams.”
Elsia Kelly, Team Development co-chair, puts her arm around Gomez and gently squeezes, sharing the sentiments. It’s been a long journey in many ways for the three women, each of whom has lost someone special to cancer. Together, they have been working on the event since Grace and Gwen Traylor, the other co-chair, met a year ago.
Traylor, who recently lost her sister to cancer and herself is a surviving “warrior” going on 14 years, holds back tears as she reflects upon her sister and how “the dream” of defeating cancer inspires her every day. “It only pushes me more. You know, cancer isn’t prejudiced; young or old, rich or poor, it doesn’t matter – my sister would have wanted me to keep fighting.”
Their common dream is finally here. With the Relay just a day away, the ladies, along with other event volunteers, have stepped up their efforts, working around the clock and meeting with community members and businesses that keep signing on.
“For a first time Relay, we had a goal of 25 teams” said Traylor. “Not only did we reach our goal, but we doubled it! We’re really excited and still want as many people as we can get to come out and be a part of this.”
Kelly enthusiastically agreed: “We have over 400 hundred people participating in the relay, and that’s not including people and businesses that will be around supporting the walkers. That really says something about this community.”
Gomez added, “The mayor is the Honorary Chair and has really been supportive from the beginning. This is personal for him. And many other public officials and businesses have been stepping up to help.”
Other elected officials participating include Pinal County Supervisor David Snider and city council members Marqisha Griffen and Julia Gusse.
Businesses involved include Auto-Zone, Water and Ice, H&N Landscaping, MKH20 and many others. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort not only provided relay teams but generously sponsored the Heroes, Survivors and Caregivers banquet at the casino. Traylor credits Tanya Alverado, Harrah’s Sponsorship Chairwoman, for all the efforts and support.
The Relay will begin Friday, March 25, at 6 p.m. Relay teams will walk continuously through the night, and finish at 6 a.m. A variety of entertainment will go on through midnight, including music and dancing.
“We’ve been running around, still putting things together but I wouldn’t have it any other way, said Traylor.
As the co-chairs left the field, Traylor stopped and reached into her handbag, which is like a portable office, overflowing with paperwork and files. She pulled out the official shirt that all the participants will be provided. “This one is going to be saved for my sister. She’ll still be walking with me that night.”
For more information visit: www.RelayForLifeMaricopa.com.
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