Photo by Joe Mello

To date, 41 teams with 519 participants are taking part in the all-day and all-night event. The American Cancer Society says its Relay for Life -- which is held in communities across the country -- is the largest annual fundraising event in the United States.

Photo by Joe Mello

Photo by Joe Mello

LBREPORT.com Community Correspondent Joe Mello provided LBREPORT.com with LIVE webcast coverage of the opening ceremonies (on demand below), which included a stunning [and unforgetable] keynote address by survivor speaker, Jordan High School honors student/Police Explorer Erasmo Lopez. We strongly urge our readers to click and hear his remarkable words below, a must-hear.

LBPD had a sizable presence at today's event. Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell and LBPD Command Staff were present to hand out medals to cancer survivors as they completed the survivors' lap (first lap), including Police Explorer/survivor Erasmo Lopez (photo below) in remission from a double-leukemia since Sept. 2011.

LBPD Chief Jim McDonnell (left), Police Explorer Erasmo Lopez (center), LBPD Deputy Chief Robert Luna (right). Photo by Joe Mello

For VIDEO as survivors complete the first lap and receive medals from LBPD, click below.

For video of remarks by LBPD Cheif McDonnell, click below.

LBPD cancer survivors include Commander Josef Levy (ret.) and LBPD Sgt. Dina Zapalski. For video of comments by Commander Levy, click video below.

Photo by Joe Mello

Sgt. Zapalski organized an LBPD Relay for Life team and her team page is eloquent in its simplicity at this link. It includes a photo of LBPD Sgt. Brenda Relph, who succumbed to cancer in January 2013.

Photo by Joe Mello

Some of the LB teams have names that bluntly convey their attitude toward the disease: "Fork Cancer" is the Long Beach team with the largest total contributions to date ($6,000+).

At 9:00 p.m. (twelve hours into the 24-hour event), the Millikan High athletic track was lined with Luminaria -- candles wrapped in small bags with messages dedicated to those who have battled, or are currently battling, cancer.

• To view a list of the Long Beach teams and learn the personal reasons why each team leader took part -- and to support a team of your choice with a mouse click -- click here.

• To view a list sorted by participants, click here

Funds raised benefit the American Cancer Society.

Photo by Joe Mello

Relay For Life of Long Beach
Starts June 1, 2013, 9:00 a.m. through June 2, 9:00 a.m.
Robert A Millikan High School
2800 Snowden Avenue, Long Beach