Maricopa goes ‘all out’ at inaugural event

Fity-one teams participated in the relay, from 6:30 in the evening until 6 a.m. Saturday morning. One member of each team was required to be walking at all times, but teams co-mingled with each other and often multiple members of a team were seen walking together. And it didn’t stop there — unregistered supporters and excited kids walked with their friends and families.  

 

The relay officially kicked off with an honorary lap around the makeshift track for survivors and caregivers. With Gloria Gaynor’s song “I will survive” cranked up, the lap was more of a circular dance celebrating life. 

 

“I’m elated” said Mayor Anthony Smith as the relay started. “This is a 12-hour party, and this is just the beginning! I’m already geared up for next year’s event!”

 

With tents and canopies set up in the center of the track, it didn’t take long for lines to form at Seven Cups Coffee, the portable cappuccino and coffee makers usually stationed at the Maricopa Stagestop plaza.  

 

People came prepared for the all-night affair, with jackets and sweaters.

 

“We walk through the night because when one has cancer, they have to walk through the darkness, and for one night, we can too. Cancer doesn’t sleep and neither shall we,” Shelley Center said to the cheering crowd of participants and supporters. Center, a representative of the American Cancer Society, worked with event co-chairs Gwen Traylor and Grace Gomez and their team of volunteers to put the relay together.  

 

“When Nancy Smith first approached me to be a team leader, I didn’t know it would be like this,” said Brenda Campbell, city of Maricopa special events coordinator. “This is just an amazing turn-out.”

 

With banners spread and flags waving, participants of all ages walked and pranced around the track.  At the podium, the entertainment was a mixed beat of musicians, dancers and comedians. Nicky West, a musician from Phoenix, began the show, sounding like Erika Badu with an electric guitar. The Desert Star Gymnasts jumped in next, doing flips, cartwheels and handstands. Also showcased were beautifully garbed Mexican Folklorico dancers and funnyman Ricky Ricardo.

 

In between acts, Center took the stage to give credit to the participants and teams. Gina Romero’s team, the Eagle’s Wings, topped the team fundraising with a donation of more than $5800. Center also introduced the “Grand Club,” those individuals who personally raised over a thousand dollars. 

 

The night’s most stirring moment came as the park lights were lowered and candles were handed out. 

 

“These candles represent the light within each of us,” said Center, as hundreds gathered and walked silently around the track with their candles lifted in the air, commemorating family and friends lost to cancer and celebrating brave survivors. 

 

As the luminaria ceremony ended, the field lights were turned back on and the music returned, giving everyone a needed boost of energy to keep walking through the night.

 

“This is an amazing inaugural for a relay,” said Center. “I’ve been involved in about 20 of them, and usually there are about 20-25 teams the first time around. Maricopa went all out. This isn’t something you typically see.”

 

Maricopa resident Kim Morris came out with her husband even though her doctor told her not to. She has cervical cancer and is receiving treatments. “I’m one stubborn woman and nothing was going to stop me from coming out tonight. I’m a fighter, and this is what fighters do.”