Aliso Viejo Couple Fight Cancer with Family in Their Minds

It was a newspaper ad four years ago that inspired Ted and Lindsay Norman to get involved. 

The American Cancer Society’s local Relay for Life Committee was looking for volunteers.

“I lost both of my grandfathers to cancer,”  said Ted. And "my father, who had melanoma removed, has been cancer-free for four years." Lindsay’s parents are also cancer survivors.

“That got us started,” Ted said.

Lindsay served as the chairperson for the committee for three years.  During that time, Ted served on the committee, as a team captain, and as a participant.

As the 2011 online chairman, Ted helped participants tailor and customize their personal webpages to solicit donations for the event, which was held July 16-17 in Grand Park.

“The majority of the funds are raised through this online tool,” Ted said.

Relay for Life began in 1985 in Tacoma, WA, when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a surgeon, decided to raise money for his local American Cancer Society office.  He ran for 24 hours on the track at the University of Puget Sound and raised $27,000.

Relay for Life is now a worldwide movement to end cancer and is often described by participants as "life changing." 

The event starts with an inspirational Celebrate ceremony in which survivors and caregivers take a victory lap around the track.

After dark, there is a Remember ceremony. The track is lined with paper bags containing lighted candles—with each bag bearing the name of a person touched by cancer or lost to the disease.  Participants often walk a lap in silence.

“It’s a really moving, quiet part of the event,” Ted said.  “… people literally stop and camp out for a while in front of their bag.”

Fight Back, the closing ceremony, is held the next morning.  Participants make a personal commitment to save lives by getting a screening test, quitting smoking or talking to elected officials about what can be done to fight cancer.

“The purpose is to get everyone revamped,” Ted explained, “just because the event is over … don’t forget about the fight.”

This year’s Aliso Viejo Relay for Life Event in Grand Park raised nearly $50,000.

“Relay for Life is the largest nonprofit fundraiser in the world,” Ted said, “and the American Cancer Society is the largest private donor for cancer research, which is why I’m involved.”

Ted said he participates in Relay for Life because he has lost so many loved ones to cancer.  

"I have two sons of my own now.  We need to find a cure.”

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To make a donation to the Aliso Viejo Relay for Life, visit relayforlife.org/alisoviejoca.  Fundraising for the 2011 event continues through Aug. 31. 

If you are interested in volunteering for the 2012 Relay for Life in Aliso Viejo, email Maria Serna, staff partner for the American Cancer Society,  at maria.serna@cancer.org.