Tents filled with sleeping bags, tables and chairs dotted the grassy field and many people sold fun knick-knacks with all the proceeds going toward the American Cancer Society.Ā Music filled the air as folks participated in fun games.Ā Even Thummer, one of the mascots for the Los Angeles County Fair, got into the action and posed for the camera.
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By 9 p.m., the fieldās perimeter was lined with illuminaria bags which posted the names of people who were victims of cancer āthe number two killer in the United States.Ā With the field illuminated only by the bags, the group walked solemnly around the field as bag piper Sean Keating filled the cold, evening air with the song, āAmazing Grace.ā
By Sunday morningās Fight Back Ceremony, the groggy and tired group discovered which were the leading teams in raising money.Ā Sunrise Rotary of Claremont was first with a total of $7,685, Claremont Crazies in second with $ 5,614, and the City of La Verne with $5,285.
Nineteen teams participated in the relay campaign which began in February and continues through August.Ā Usually, the relay is slated for the early May, but a schedule conflict with the schoolās activities pushed the relay to the earlier date in April.Ā
Nusha Shishegar, team chairperson, said the relay was still successful in raising awareness.
āThe relay still inspired people to stay committed to fight against cancer,ā she said.Ā āEven though we were smaller this year, we were just as powerful ā nothing stops us.Ā Iām looking forward to next year.ā
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