Teams continue to raise money for Relay for Life

Going into this year's Relay for Life fundraising efforts, co-chairwoman Joyce Whitney-Silva worried the economy might make raising money difficult.

But so far, it's going better than last year.

"It's going incredibly well," she said. "We're right about par with two years ago. That is great news."

She said the organization has raised about $72,000 and hopes to be around $90,000 by the event on July 18-19. About 70 teams have registered.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity with more than 3.5 million people participating annually.

Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path throughout the night.

Traditionally, Carson City's relay has been at Carson High School, but last year the track was under construction, so the organization moved to Centennial Park.

It was so popular, they've chosen to host the relay there again this year.

"We have a lot more room there for the entertainment," Whitney-Silva said.

There will be two stages featuring entertainment from the Mile High Jazz Band as well as hula and belly dancing demonstrations and lessons.

There will also be the second annual "So You Think You've Got Talent" competition.

The event kicks off with a lap featuring cancer survivors. Locals Barbecue will later provide dinner for them.

"It's important for the event to celebrate the lives of the people who are winning the battle with cancer," Whitney-Silva said. She said organizers are still looking for survivors to participate in the ceremony.

Whitney-Silva lost her mother to cancer 30 years ago this week. She since became actively involved in Relay for Life in California and Guam.

When she moved to Carson City in 2000, she realized the relay here was "fairly small."

She took over three years ago and has helped it grow, along with co-chairwoman Teri Foster.

"This is such an incredibly important event," she said. "Very few people I know haven't been touched in some way by cancer. (Relay for life) is very near and dear to my heart."

To raise money for the Relay for Life, she and her husband also started the Sip for a Cure at Tahoe Ridge Winery three years ago and had 75 attendees this year.

"We will find a cure for cancer, but it's going to take a long time and a lot of money," she said. "We're making a lot of progress."