The 12th annual Relay For Life of Riverside County East and Soboba Foundation event to recognize cancer survivors and their caregivers was held July 29 at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. The nautical theme tied into the message of hope for survivors and that caregivers often serve as an anchor for them.

Emcee Bob Baker was also honorary Captain for the evening’s voyage. “We’ve all come here tonight in hope. Hope that anyone facing cancer will find the care and the support they need. Hope of a cancer-free tomorrow,” he said in his welcoming comments. “Cancer survivors are the living proof that we’re making a difference in the fight against this disease. Never lose hope.”

Cathi Hill-Baker, Senior Development Manager for the American Cancer Society, plans the annual event with help from many volunteers, friends and family members such as her husband, Bob.

“Having the support of the Soboba Foundation is priceless,” Hill, of Banning, said. “The partnership that has grown over the past 15 years since our first time on their Lip Sync Contest stage has grown into an amazing relationship. The Foundation has been there to support the Relay For Life event each year for the past 15 years. They also have supported our many feeder events such as golf tournaments, casino nights, 5k mud runs, annual cornhole tournaments and our upcoming ugly sweater 5K in December, which is a first-time event for us.”

Attentive servers treated more than 100 invited guests to a delicious sit-down dinner which was preceded by a blessing from Miriam Meza, who was attending the event with her sister. A dessert buffet offering a variety of sweet options followed. Invitations were sent to all cancer survivors that registered for the most recent Relay For Life of Riverside County East event on June 24 in Beaumont and were able to bring a guest.

For Lupe Bañuelos of Banning that guest was her daughter Rosemary Bañuelos, who stepped in as her caregiver after Lupe’s breast cancer diagnosis about 10 years ago. During her routine mammograms, abnormal findings led to needle and surgical biopsies that doctors continued to watch for changes. Eventually, it advanced to early-stage cancer on one side but because the other side also had abnormal findings, Lupe opted for a double mastectomy.

“My recovery was hard; at least four to five months,” she said. Although she had the summer off from her job with the San Bernardino County Head Start program, she had to take additional time to heal. She was grateful to have Rosemary there all the time, plus her other two children and grandchildren who rotated shifts to cover her needs 24/7.

“Everybody helped,” Lupe Bañuelos said. “It took a family to get through this and they carried me through it. For others that don’t have that support system, I’m glad to know that the American Cancer Society provides services that can help them.”

The Bañuelos family enjoys attending the Relay For Life events. Lupe said seeing everybody supporting each other and meeting others going through the same thing helps everyone lift each other up.

Mickey McRay of Hemet underwent a radical vulvectomy after her diagnosis of vulvar cancer was discovered during a pap smear in 2015. Her difficult recovery included three months of drainage tubes running the length of her leg to her feet. During this time, McRay’s older sister was diagnosed with adrenal cancer and died less than a month later. McRay was unable to travel to Colorado to say goodbye to her.

“I’ve had multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation and biopsies for a few more growths but last week was the first time since 2015 that I was told I don’t have to return for a year,” McRay said. “I’m finally getting there. It was very exciting news.”

An adventurous and free-spirited redhead, McRay is a U.S. Air Force veteran who came to California 20 years ago after learning how to hop a freight train through a “hobo connection in Idaho.”

She met Mary Reuland at Bible Fellowship Church in Hemet shortly after moving there and said she has been a constant source of support. Reuland sent flowers and took food to McRay during her recovery and still drives her to any appointments and procedures when she needs it.

“That’s kind of what friends do,” Reuland said. “Everybody does what they can do; it’s never an imposition.”

McRay said Mary is very patient, caring and kind and added, “She’s gone out of her way so many times.”

Music by Tom The Guitar Player punctuated the event as well as emotional personal stories shared by guest speakers Dyanne Blevens and Janet Howe.

Blevens, of Fallbrook, was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March. She had been experiencing some back pain which was what led to an MRI of her spine that showed a mass on her liver. She has been very athletic most of her life and has been a competitive bodybuilder for the past nine years, turning professional three years ago. She worked out six days a week and consumed a 90% completely clean diet.

“I was the epitome of health; my body was in pristine shape – or so I thought,” she said. “To say this diagnosis was a shock is a huge understatement. It was beyond comprehension. How could someone as healthy as me possibly have this life-altering disease?”

As a personal trainer, she shared the news with her athletes and some of her co-workers but said it was harder to share her diagnosis with her daughter and best friend, Donna Nichols of Wildomar, who has provided unwavering support and has never left her side. Blevens, 58, just completed her seventh round of the most aggressive chemotherapy for her kind of diagnosis.

“Ninety-nine percent of the time I’m super positive and say ‘let’s fight this thing,’ but I have those moments when I don’t want to be positive anymore. I don’t want to get up and be happy and I don’t want to be an inspiration. I just want to stop,” Blevens said. “We have to deal with all these feelings and emotions. This is the path we are given. This is not where we lie down to die; it is where we stand up to fight together. Stay grateful for every day through each passing situation for there is something to learn, to gain, to overcome. We are all born fighters, we just need to dig deeper inside of us and say, ‘yes, this I can do.’”

Janet Howe created a campaign she calls “More Than a Ribbon” that helps remember the person behind the colored ribbon that signifies the type of cancer their loved one battled or is currently fighting. When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after moving to Alaska, Howe was on the next plane to help her through the journey. Unfortunately, the cancer returned more than once and each time Howe was there to do what she could to help. When her mother developed bone cancer, she did not recover and experienced other health issues such as pneumonia. She eventually passed away from lung cancer.

“I wear a ribbon every single day for breast cancer (awareness),” Howe said. “When I get up every morning and put that ribbon on, I feel like it’s my mom; it’s more than a ribbon.”

Howe’s father recently passed away from lung cancer so she now wears a white ribbon as well. “Cancer ribbons are about so much more than just awareness or finding a cure,” she said. “When you see a ribbon, it represents an actual person or cherished memory.”

Hill admits that all events that support the American Cancer Society’s many programs are only possible with the support and dedication of many, such as the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.

“My lead volunteer is Billie Jo Williams, a 14-year ovarian cancer survivor,” Hill said. “She joined Relay 17 years ago when her best friend’s brother passed away from cancer. Her goal was to fight back and help fund research. She then faced her own cancer and has been Relaying ever since.”

Williams has been volunteering to assist Hill for the past 15 years.

“She is my ride or die and my Relay partner in crime,” Hill, a 21-year cancer survivor herself, said. “Billie Jo has also become family to me. A true cancer-fighting warrior. Billie Jo has led the Riverside event for the past three years and is now the lead for the upcoming 5K in December. She also helps on the committee for the Route 66 event in San Bernardino County. She works full time and lives in Perris with her husband and daughter. Even with her busy life she always finds time to fight cancer and give of her heart and time to the American Cancer Society.”

Lauri Morris, a personal styling consultant better known as Diversified Diva (www.linktr.ee/divagirl), is also a cancer survivor and caregiver. In keeping with the theme of the evening, she created and presented a fun and informational fashion show of cruise worthy outfits. Modeled by volunteers, some cancer survivors and others whose family members have been touched by the disease, the audience had a lot of fun with the presentation.

A video slideshow honoring and remembering loved ones touched by cancer with photos submitted by those attending the recent Relay For Life event was a somber reminder of why everyone was there and why the fight against cancer is so important.

Relay For Life events are held once a year, countywide. There is a feeder event coming up on Dec. 2 that supports the Riverside County East relay. The Reindeer Dash and Ugly Sweater Bash 5K will be held at the Jurupa Valley Sports Park. The event’s presenting sponsor is the Soboba Foundation.

The Relay For Life of Route 66, which is a San Bernardino County event, will be on Saturday, Aug. 26 at Cal State University, San Bernardino.

American Cancer Society programs have touched more than 55 million lives. ACS continues to be the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research in the United States outside of the federal government, investing more than $5 billion over the past 75 years. Fundraising is having strong impacts on the community for those who seek information, programs and services.

For more information, contact Cathi Hill at cathi.hill@cancer.org or call the ACS 24-hour call center at 800-227-2345. There is always someone there to answer any questions for cancer patients, caregivers and others.

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With a theme of Denim & Diamonds, cancer survivors and caregivers were given a chance to shine at the 10th annual luncheon presented by the Relay for Life of Riverside County East and the Soboba Foundation at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center on July 31.

Cathi Hill, Senior Development Manager for the American Cancer Society, plans the annual event with help from many volunteers, friends and family members. She presented a special award to members of the Soboba Foundation for their longtime and ongoing support.

“I want to express our sincerest appreciation for all the support the Soboba Foundation has provided to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for many years,” Hill, who is the Relay for Life staff partner, said. “I have been fortunate to work with Andrew Vallejos, who holds the role of Sponsorship Coordinator, and other Foundation members for the past 12 years.”

She said it has been an honor to watch the relationship grow over the years and on the 10th anniversary of the Soboba Foundation sponsoring the Survivor & Caregiver Luncheon presented them with a crystal recognition award. Accepting were Foundation Secretary Antonia Briones-Venegas and Member-at-Large Kelli Hurtado, who also serves on Soboba Tribal Council as Sergeant-at-Arms. At last year’s luncheon, Hurtado shared her survivor’s story.

To illustrate the level of commitment from the Soboba Foundation that the American Cancer Society Relay for Life has enjoyed through the years, a slide show was presented that highlighted just some of the ways the Foundation has supported the cause including hosting Relay for Life events for 12 years; Relay Golf Classic, 11 years; Soboba Lip Sync Contest, 11 years; Casino Night fundraiser, 10 years; and the Up, Down & Dirty 4 A Cure Mud Run, 2 years.

The annual luncheon, organized to celebrate survivors, remember those who have been lost and thank all the caregivers, is designed to promote hope. Hope that anyone facing cancer can find the care and support they need and hope for a cancer-free tomorrow.

“Cancer survivors are living proof that we are making a difference in the fight against this disease,” emcee Bob Baker said. “They endured days of illness, medical appointments and tears, yet they are here with us today as we honor their crusade against this disease.”

About 120 guests attended the luncheon that featured live music by Sheila and Larry James of the Jamestown singing duo. The first guest speaker was cancer survivor and Hill’s sister, Cynthia Belzl, who shared her personal journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2020.

Although she was told her cancer was caught early, it was aggressive and she had to undergo five months of chemotherapy and about 21 rounds of radiation. Her treatments at City of Hope in Duarte took place during the height of the pandemic so no one was allowed to go with her to her treatments. She said while sharing many of the same feelings and experiences as other survivors she uses the words grateful and thankful a lot.

“What got me through was having wonderfully supportive family and friends,” Belzl said.

All cancer survivors in attendance were asked to stand to receive a gift of a medallion that read “This is what a cancer survivor looks like.”

Two of those survivors are Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Elder Marian Chacon and her best friend Rachel Miranda, both 86-year-old breast cancer survivors. Chacon, who was diagnosed in 2009, had a lumpectomy and 30 days of radiation treatments.

“It was found on a routine mammogram and I always make sure to keep up with all my checkups,” Chacon said.

Miranda, whose breast cancer was also discovered through her annual mammogram, was treated in the 1990s. Both attend Soboba-sponsored American Cancer Society and Relay for Life events as often as they can.

The next guest speaker was Chrissy Rohlmeier, of Wildomar, who became a caregiver at the age of 20. Shortly after her father passed away suddenly from lymphoma in late 1994, her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer.

“My mom was the rock of the family, the woman that did everything for me,” Rohlmeier said, adding that to support her mother, she had to step up her game and become the shopper, cook, cleaner, the person who took her to the doctor and the nurse who made sure she was eating, staying hydrated and taking all of her medications.

“When your loved one comes out on the other end of cancer, when they fight like crazy and become a survivor, it has to be the best feeling in the world for them but also for the caregiver that is fighting right alongside them,” Rohlmeier said. “Sadly, that wasn’t the case for us. My mom passed just five short months after her diagnosis, eight months after we lost my dad.”

She admits that being a caregiver is probably the most difficult thing she’s ever done in her life but said it’s also the biggest privilege she ever had.

Caregivers were then asked to stand and receive a special token of gratitude, which was a flower seed packet imprinted with the words “Where love resides, hope grows.” It seemed like a fitting gift for those that nurture others.

Another caregiver in attendance was Myrna Hollinger, 88, of Moreno Valley. After spending three years supporting her husband through his terminal cancer in the early 1990s, she became her daughter’s caregiver after she was diagnosed with abdominal sarcoma in 2001.

Carol Hollinger, now 55, was living her best life when her world was turned upside down and inside out. She was set to graduate from California State University, San Bernardino with her bachelor’s degree in English and she was planning her wedding, which got canceled when her fiancé left because he couldn’t handle the situation.

“Everything just came to a halt,” she said.

Mothers become caregivers as soon as their child is born but Myrna said watching her “baby” go through a 9-1/2-hour surgery and a long recovery period was difficult as she hated to see her suffering.

“After being married for 40 years, it was rough to get on without my husband but after all the stuff he went through with his cancer for two years, it was a relief that he was finally out of his misery,” Myrna said. “It’s completely different when it’s your child. For a while, we didn’t know if she’d survive.”

Because Carol’s surgery was so extensive and all her cancer was removed, no chemotherapy was needed. Myrna said when the doctor told her after the surgery that her daughter would recover and would be able to live a long and healthy life she told him, “From your mouth to God’s ears.”

Carol said that during her recovery, she spent a lot of time in her recliner, watching television.

“I saw a Relay for Life commercial and at that point I could barely walk, but I told myself that I wanted to get healthy enough to do a Relay one day. And I did,” she said.

Hurtado realized firsthand the importance of a good caregiver and thinks the annual luncheon is very important as it honors them while giving hope to those that are going through treatments.

“The caregivers go through so much watching their loved ones go through so much pain and suffering and there’s nothing they can do,” Hurtado said. “I love that the American Cancer Society recognizes caregivers because sometimes they’re not applauded enough. My husband was my caregiver and after my surgery he did everything for me. He took time off work, he scrubbed me in the shower and he always made sure I was okay. I know that was hard for him.”

Hemet City Council Member Linda Krupa was invited to the luncheon by her friend Lauri Morris who is a cancer survivor, caregiver, friend and fellow Rotarian. Attending the event for the first time, Krupa said she was very impressed. She has attended several Relay for Life events in the past honoring her two sisters, who succumbed to cancer and one sister who is a survivor, as is Krupa.

“Upon finding the (breast) lump in January 2021, I announced to everyone who would listen to insist on annual screenings. Thankfully there are many of us survivors, but prevention would be welcomed,” she said. “The surgery and radiation are complete and I’m in the five years of daily pills and numerous tests. I am surviving cancer.”

All Relay for Life events include a Luminaria Ceremony, which is a ceremony of remembrance and hope. It symbolizes a time to grieve for those that have been lost, to reflect on a personal cancer experience or that of a loved one and to find hope that tomorrow holds the promise of a cancer-free world.

Baker said, “Luminarias have such a unique ability to evoke emotions from all of us. To one person, a luminaria is a symbol of hope, as it represents the life of someone who is living life cancer free. To another, it may represent sorrow and sadness as the life of a loved one who is no longer with us is remembered. To someone else it may represent peace and acceptance as they realize they are never truly alone in this journey. The luminaria ceremony is a powerful representation of why we are all here; why we are all fighting.”

The lights were lowered and each guest was asked to light the flameless tea light candle inside the bag they were given to create a luminaria in honor or memory of someone who has touched their lives.

Baker said, “We are turning our sorrows into celebrations and we are converting our losses into action. We have put faces and voices to this disease. We know we have made a difference, and we will continue to make a difference. We will keep fighting until there is a cure.”

A moment of silence was requested “to reflect on how cancer has touched each of us personally. It’s a time for us to look inside ourselves with quiet reflection and find hope. Because no matter what our experience with cancer has been, we all share the hope that we will one day live in a world where our children and their children will never have to hear the words, ‘You have cancer.’”

A slideshow was presented which included a host of submitted photos in honor of those who are cancer survivors and in memory of those who are no longer here.

Baker explained that the American Cancer Society exists to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. Despite evidence that regular screening gives a person the best chance of early detection and prevents certain cancers from even starting, too many individuals for whom cancer screening is recommended remain unscreened.

“In 2022, more than 1.9 million new cancer cases arose and there were 600,000 deaths,” Baker cited. “That’s 1,700 deaths per day. One in two men will be diagnosed with cancer and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer. This illustrates that we still have a lot of work to do and that is why the American Cancer Society is fighting cancer on every front.”

In 2021, American Cancer Society programs touched 55 million lives. It continues to be the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research in the United States outside of the federal government, investing more than $5 billion over 75 years.

Hill, who has been on staff for 17 years with ACS, looks forward to the annual Survivor & Caregiver Luncheon. With much help from volunteer Billie Jo Thompson, Hill plans and implements novel themes and an inspiring program each year.

“When the room is set and decorated, I am able to let out a sigh of relief, and then the doors open for our guests to enter and my heart skips a beat with such joy to see all the smiling faces and the love in that room,” Hill said. “But if I must choose one part of our time together it is hearing our guest speakers’ stories and having them share their most vulnerable moments of their journeys. I love my job with the American Cancer Society but I love spreading hope more.”

ACS’s annual Relay for Life is the world’s largest volunteer-based fundraising event. For more than 36 years, communities across the world have come together to honor and remember loved ones and take action for lifesaving change. This year’s Riverside County East event will be Sept. 24 from 2 to 8 p.m. in Jurupa Valley. Event contact is Billie Jo Williams at billiejo_williams@verizon.net or 909-957-7189. For more information, www.relayforlife.org/riversideca.

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