On Sept. 13, 2025, community members gathered at the Ventura County Credit Union Corporate Office in Ventura, Calif., for the annual Relay for Life of West Ventura County. The event raises funds for the American Cancer Society and its efforts in cancer care, prevention and the search for a cure.
With the opening ceremonies at 10 a.m., cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters began the first of many laps around the grassy event space. One such supporting organization was the BioScience Academy team from Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech). Ishaan Gordhan ‘27, the BioScience HOSA Service Lead for Cohort 21, stated, “I think what’s important with BioScience coming to this event is that we’re really leaning into our healthcare side by supporting cancer patients, raising money for cancer research and really just motivating these cancer survivors to keep going.”
For each lap around the grass field that served as the centerpiece for the event, Relay for Life attendees could collect a bead to keep track of the distance. Some volunteers kept a steady pace throughout the day, completing as many as 100 laps, while others chose to partake in the activities lining the field, including volunteer and vendor stations, games such as tug-of-war and cornhole and a Survivor’s Tent with snacks, food and water.
The survivors in attendance were recognized with a dedicated Survivor’s Lap to honor their battles and stories. One survivor, Angela Gutierrez, stated that, “[It is important to be] letting everyone know that there are people there that have been through it, and everyone’s there for each other. We probably need the word [to] spread out more to bring [in]the community, to make it a bigger event.”
The unifying of the community at Relay for Life also sparked thoughts on the support network that the event nurtures for all whose lives have been altered by cancer. Quincy Dungan of the Ventura Downtown Lions Club stated, “I relay for my mother, my grandfather, my uncle and lots of other friends and family,” saying, “[Relay for Life] fosters friendships and support and sharing of information … I think a lot of people are looking for ways to serve and help each other out.”
Other attendees spread the word about cancer research and education, as well as patient care. Three-time cancer survivor Jim Krieger said, “Cancer research has got to be more informative to the people. Stop eating junk food, eat healthy, exercise healthy — things like that.”
In addition to providing resources that can be found on the American Cancer Society website for those currently undergoing treatment for cancer and those who have beaten it, Relay for Life also funds cancer prevention and health exams to stop cancer in the early stages. Mina Silva, a caregiver for multiple family members impacted by cancer, said, “It brings awareness to the fact that there are so many people [who are] affected, some at a very young age, some at a very old age, and also the fact that our donations will actually go ahead and continue to provide for early detection.”
As the time approached 4 p.m. and Relay for Life began to wind down, the volunteers and attendees reflected on the day’s events. Krieger stated, “It’s a community of people [that] come; they get educated, they learn, they participate and they go away a better person than when they got here.” Amidst the exchange of encouragement, remembrances, and farewells, the event concluded another year of spotlighting the work to end cancer and the strong connections within the Ventura community.
