LET THERE BE LIGHT

One way or another, pandemic notwithstanding, the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Baldwin Hills, which includes the communities of Culver City, Ladera Heights, View Park, Windsor Hills, Crenshaw, and Leimert Park, was going to take place again this year. It just needed to be reimagined.

And that it was (and very successfully!), as a drive-through Luminaria Celebration on Saturday, September 12th between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Yvonne B. Burke Athletic Complex Baseball Field, 5401 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90056.

Madeline Wilson, the captain of the Green Team, of which I am a proud member, and a fellow breast cancer survivor, devoted considerable time to coordinating this event and spent many hours at the site.

"There were over 200 bags," she said. "It was nice. Most people drove through a few times to see the bags closer. There was a slow but steady drive through with the Pink Monkeys team having their cars decorated with signs and honking horns early on as they drove through. We volunteers stayed socially distanced and wore masks and gloves. We needed more volunteers but had to limit the number as a safety precaution, and I am beyond exhausted."

Understandably so, and kudos to all for their efforts.

"Madeline is truly an exemplary volunteer," commented Dana Wynkoop, Community Development Manager. "Despite the devastating effects of COVID-19, as of Saturday, September 12th the 2020 Baldwin Hills Relay For Life has raised $26,279.88 with donations still coming in, to continue to support the American Cancer Society's mission of services, research, education, and advocacy for those experiencing cancer."

She added that "one in every three Americans will experience cancer in their lifetime, and in 2020 an estimated 606,520 people will die of cancer in the United States. Fundraising isn't everything we do, but everything we do to save lives depends on it."

Please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Baldwin Hills at http://www.RelayForLife.org/BaldwinHillsCA. And let's keep that light of hope burning.