Cancer survivors gather at Palm Desert Relay for Life

Cancer survivors, family members and caretakers came together Saturday for the Palm Desert Relay for Life.

“Relay has grown to over 5,000 relays throughout the globe. And we come together to raise money for the American Cancer Society to fund research,” event chair Janine Judy said.

Dorlaine Stanley has been cancer-free for 14 years.

“My journey started in 2002 with a really bad cough. I was told I was a 40-year-old woman with a cold and then it turned into Hodgkins lymphoma stage 2,” Stanley said.

She said every year she does the relay it reminds her of what she’s grateful for.

“I look at life way different. I don’t sweat the small stuff. I come out and give back to the community and share my story,” Stanley said.

Teams gathering at Palm Desert Civic Center Park to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

“Being around other survivors is a great network. You learn more about other people’s stories and you share your stories and make new friendships and see the survivors come back year after year,” Stanley said.

This year organizers hope to reach their goal of $65,000.

“With the money raised at Relay for Life, as I mentioned, it does fund cancer research. And we’re at 21 percent survival rate now, which is fantastic,” Judy said.

Organizers announcing after years of efforts, next year there will be one relay for the whole valley. Bringing everyone together for one common cause.