Over 40 teams walked the track at Westlake High School’s stadium Friday night into Saturday to raise money for cancer research.

Westlake High School students and members of Relay Team Utah carry cancer survivor Steve Giallourakis around the track at the school’s stadium. The strong men, from left to right: Tyler Wolf, Sean Breeden and Jeff Talman. Jimmy Gianfagna is partially blocked from view. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

The fifth annual Westlake Relay For Life was led off by a U.S. Navy color guard team presenting the U.S. flag prior to Paul Foradora of Grace Baptist Church singing of the national anthem.

In the opening prayer, the Rev. Judy Wismar Claycomb, pastor of Westlake United Methodist Church, recalled those who had lost the battle against cancer.

“We thank you for all those, especially those whom we love and see no more this day. We name them in our hearts in these moments, with joy and with tears, remembering how they touched and graced our lives and have left us changed, better, for their life in our midst.”

Referring to thunderstorms earlier in the afternoon that caused concerns for event organizers, Claycomb said that God was bigger and stronger than any storms that might blow into people’s lives.

“Your constant presence and your undying love remain when the clouds disperse and the daylight returns,” she said.

Unfortunately for the second year in a row, the bad weather scared off the RE/MAX hot air balloon, which was scheduled to give short rides to the public in return of donations of $5.

Mayor Dennis Clough lauded participants’ efforts to raise money for research.
“As each year goes by, we want to see more and more cancer survivors,” Clough said. “Probably all of us know someone who didn’t survive.”

Amanda Croft, the American Cancer Society’s representatives for the Westlake Relay, said the cancer survivors who participated in the events were signs of hope and progress against the disease.

“We see evidence of this progress as more and more people survive cancer each year,” Croft said.

Youngsters took part in rock climbing and jousting games during the event. The Westlake High School Key Club offered hair coloring with neon hairspray for a $1 donation.

Relay chairperson Rick Grane said donations will be accepted through Aug. 31. Donations can be made online at www.relayforlife.org/relay/coe/. Type in the ZIP code (44145) to get to the Westlake Relay page. And click the box saying “Search All Events Past and Future.”

On the Net:

• American Cancer Society
• Westlake Relay For Life