Long Beach area Relay walkers brought tents and overnight equipment to Long Beach Millikan High's athletic field, began walking at 9 a.m. Saturday June 1, walked through the day and night (undeterred by overnight drizzle) and completed their pledged efforts on Sunday morning June 2 at 9 a.m.

The LB-area Relay effort had a goal of reaching $85,000. At the Sunday morning closing ceremony (LBREPORT.com VIDEO below), ACS Staff Partner Nancy Gutzmer drew cheers and tears as she announced that pledged contributions had reached $101,780. As part of her remarks visible in the video below, Ms. Gutzmer credited the event's multiple generous supporters.

The 'round the clock event is meant to heighten awareness that because "cancer doesn't sleep," efforts to develop new treatments and find a cure(s) mustn't rest.

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Relay walkers and supporters assembled on Saturday morning for the opening ceremony and began their 24 hour walks.

Relay for Life Facebook page

Relay for Life Facebook page

On Saturday night, an emotion packed Luminaria lap took place. Accompanied by bagpipes sounding "Amazing Grace," walkers circled the track lined with candles carrying the names and remembrances of family members and friends who'd battled the illness.

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Among those present to show his support and thank the participants was Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.

Chief Luna attends the event every year.) In photo below, he strikes a pose with Hank the Comfort Dog (see below.)

Photo by Bill Lovelace

A number of LBPD officers were present along with supporters of the Long Beach Police Officers Association. They brought dinner and cooked it for the Relay-walkers. (Visible in photo, Bill Lovelace and LBPD Chief Luna.)

Relay for Life Facebook page

Relay for Life Facebook page

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Mr. Lovelace, a veteran area MC/DJ/Music Services expert (at this link), brought "Hank the Comfort Dog" -- a massive English Mastiff-German Shepherd who has his own Instagram page at this link (and an online tag: @hanklovelacedog.) Hank has provided a comforting, friendly presence for Relay walkers.

Hank the Comfort Dog; Instagram at: at this link. Photo by Bill Lovelace

The Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union and Long Beach Health Department had a presence.

Cerritos Councilman/former Mayor Jim Edwards spoke at the opening ceremony and attended the closing.

Councilman Edwards told LBREPORT.com that he's come to the event for many years (including when it was at Gahr High School in Cerritos) and knows there "isn't a family who hasn't been touched by cancer."

Lakewood Mayor/Councilman Todd Rogers spoke at the closing ceremony (remarks in full in VIDEO above), thanked all the participants and along with Cerritos Councilman Edwards, the two elected officials joined the Relay walkers for a concluding victory lap.

Screen save from VIDEO by Bill Lovelace

No Long Beach elected officials attended the event.

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