The 21st Annual Santa Clarita Relay for Life brought hundreds of cancer survivors and community members together at Central Park over the weekend to raise money for cancer research.

Despite the inclement weather, hundreds of people came out for the 2019 Santa Clarita Relay for Life. The event is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser dedicated to helping communities attack cancer, according to officials.

“Relay for Life is a great way to celebrate survivors, as well as remembering those who passed from cancer,” said KHTS On-Air Personality Tori Rizzo, who helped announce the various teams for the event as part of KHTS Radio’s sponsorship.

In addition to raising funds, the event provides a unique opportunity to honor both survivors and those whose lives were taken by cancer.

“It’s a way to honor my sister, who passed away in January,” said Cyndi Kleinfeld, a KHTS employee who walked for The Village team.

The teams walking at the event were not the only people with such a personal connection to the relay. Many of the event workers and organizers participate to honor people close to them.

“I’m working the event for my mom, as well as one of my best friends in the world who is dealing with cancer right now,” Rizzo said.

All of the survivors in attendance were honored at the event, and were given medals after they kicked off the event with the opening lap.

“Overall we had a great event,” said Ronna Randall, who served as a member of the Event Leadership Committee. “Over 50 teams participated and hundreds of community members came.”

Later that night, participants lit a candle for every person whose life has been impacted by cancer. It began to rain, but participants kept their candles lit and continued to walk.

“Unfortunately the rain wasn’t kind to us, but never dampened people’s spirits,” Randall said. “They continued to walk in honor or memory of loved ones, just with an umbrella.”

One in three people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to American Cancer Society officials. Money raised by the relay is set to help fund cancer research grants.

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