Relay for Life draws hundreds in Merced

Cancer survivors and their caregivers know a battle like no other.

They also know that support from their family, friends and community helps them get to the finish line.

To continue this demonstration of support, a few hundred people came together over the weekend for the annual Relay for Life at Merced College.

Relay for Life is an international movement that helps raise funds and awareness in an effort to save lives from cancer. The event is organized to celebrate survivors, remember people who lost their battle and fight back against the disease. Funds collected are donated to the American Cancer Society.

This year, participants took part in a variety of themed laps, including some that required costumes and creativity.

As of Saturday, the 74 teams registered for the event had raised about $60,000. Organizers were still adding totals as of press time.

This year’s 24-hour event was the first for many participants. But for Merced resident Willie Mae Gentry, 97, this weekend’s Relay for Life became her 19th.

Gentry, better known as Granny Mae, was the oldest participant to walk Saturday’s Survivor Lap. As she made her way to the track, she said she had lost count of how many event T-shirts she’s collected over the years.

Gentry beat colon cancer in 1996. She said she feels it is her obligation to give to the American Cancer Society in the hopes of finding a cure in the future.

“I am just so grateful,” she said. “I believe I have to do something to help.”

Despite her age, Gentry refused to be pushed on a wheelchair during the Survivor’s Lap. She said it gives her great joy to be able to walk the track. She completed the lap with her granddaughters, great granddaughters and friends.

The event kicked off with an opening ceremony where a number of families shared stories about their loved ones and described the type of cancer they were or are fighting against.

Merced resident Steve Verdin told the story of his grandson, Gabriel Jimenez, during the opening ceremony. Jimenez, 21, was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 17, just a few months after his high school graduation.

Verdin said it was tough watching his grandson be whittled in size during his rounds of chemotherapy. But on Saturday, Verdin told a story of triumph. Jimenez is celebrating three years cancer-free.

Jimenez said beating cancer changed his view on life. He is now more persistent in following his dreams, such as that of working in law enforcement. Jimenez was recently accepted to the California Highway Patrol Academy and will start the program in July.

“When you’re young, you know this happens, but you don’t think it will happen to you,” Jimenez said. “But cancer can affect anyone – infants and the elderly.”

This story was originally published April 26, 2015 at 7:25 PM with the headline "Relay for Life draws hundreds in Merced."