[News Release] – Join the 16^th Annual American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of The Santa Clarita Valley and help finish the fight against cancer, Saturday from 9 a.m. until Sunday at 9 a.m., at Central Park, located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd.  Presenting sponsors for the event are Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and UCLA Health.

The SCV Relay For Life is a “Top 50” Relay in the world and the largest Relay in Southern California.  Sandra Mitchell of KCAL9, a Santa Clarita resident and breast cancer survivor, will be the opening speaker at 9am and lead the Survivor Lap. Relay Hall of Fame member Jeff Ross will be the speaker for Saturday night’s Luminaria Ceremony.

The closing “Fight Back” Ceremony at 8:30am on Sunday morning will be led by the cast members of ABC Family’s new drama series “Chasing Life.” The series premieres June 10, and stars Italia Ricci as April, a 24-year-old aspiring journalist who just as her life was starting to fall into place discovers that she has cancer. Cast members attending Relay include Italia Ricci, Aisha Dee, Haley Ramm and Richard Brancatisano.

Activities throughout the event include games, entertainment, food trucks and inspirational ceremonies.  The event is free and open to the public.

About the Relay for Life

Since the Relay for Life was started by Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Wash. in 1985, it has since grown to a nationwide event and raised nearly $5 billion for cancer research.

Relay events often include a Survivor’s Lap, where the first lap around the track is completed by cancer survivors at the event. In a luminaria ceremony, participants will light candles in honor of loved ones lost to cancer and those still fighting.

For more information about the Relay for Life or the American Cancer Society, click here.