Getting personal

Over the weekend, the Lompoc Relay for Life--an annual fundraiser to support the fight against Cancer--raised $257,481 dollars. While less than last year's total, it put the group well over it's 2006 goal:

The Lompoc Relay For Life raised $257,481 this year, slightly less than last year's $262,000 but about $7,000 more than this year's goal of $250,000.

Organizers expressed gratitude Monday to a generous community.

“It turned out to be a little less than last year, but the relay turned out to be awesome,” said Relay For Life Co-chair Juan Cruz. “We're really proud of the teams that stepped up to the plate and raised so much money. For a small community like this, it's amazing that so much money can be raised.”

Betty Williams, chair of the Relay For Life Survivor's committee, said was “delighted and ecstatic” with the support from participants this year. Money raised will go toward cancer research.

Without really even thinking about it, I had agreed to walk as a team member for one of the participating teams. By my reckoning, I walked about 2 miles on Saturday afternoon.

It all took a very personal turn yesterday when we learned that my wife's father had a cancerous spot removed. The prognosis is good and while they must take more around the spot to ensure getting everything, his doctor feels confident that everything can be handled fairly easily.

But it's still scary stuff.