San Marino Residents Gear Up for Chinese Relay For Life

Hundreds of San Marino residents and members of the Chinese community will come together on April 16 for one common cause – to raise cancer awareness and rally for a cure.

The will kick off Saturday at 10 a.m. at Live Oak Park in Temple City. The 24-hour fundraising event will collect funds for the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving research, advocacy and patient and caregiver support services.

More than 29 teams and 170 individuals will take turns running or walking around the park’s track during the fun-filled overnight event that will also feature karaoke, games and performances from the Xi Lai Temple Orchestra and local bands. The fundraiser has currently raised more than $9,000 for the American Cancer Society and organizers aim to raise $50,000 by the August 31 deadline.

Nancy Yung, wife of San Marino Mayor Allan Yung, will serve as the event’s survivor speaker. Yung was diagnosed with bile duct cancer, an extremely rare form of cancer, in 2004.

“The reason I am very passionate about this cause is because once you are diagnosed with cancer you’re immediately faced with many choices on how to take care of yourself--surgery, chemo therapy, radiation therapy,” said Yung. “You feel overwhelmed, helpless and shocked. Your emotional support is very important and the American Cancer Society is there to provide you with the support, resources, education and services you need.”

Yung, who is often regarded as the first lady of San Marino, decided to get involved with the Chinese Relay for Life because the organization helped fill a much-needed gap for non-English speakers battling cancer.

“Having gone through what I went through--cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery--I know that you need to have a lot of conversations with your doctor,” said Yung. “Many non-English speakers need bilingual volunteers. If we have more bilingual volunteers in the American Cancer Society they will help serve a lot of people that are in need of translators.”

Ling Wu, a longtime American Cancer Society volunteer, formed the Southern California Chinese Relay for Life in 2010 after learning of a similar organization in Northern California.

“In Southern California there were no Chinese speaking volunteers or staff for the American Cancer Society. A lot of Chinese don’t even know about the American Cancer Society,” said Wu, the event's chair. “I wanted to raise awareness within the Chinese community for the American Cancer Society and its services, but I realized that even if I told them they wouldn’t be able to render the services because there are no Chinese speaking volunteers.”

Not only does the Relay for Life raise cancer awareness, but the event helps recruit new Chinese speaking volunteers for the American Cancer Society.

“A lot of Chinese people don’t want to tell others that they have cancer because of the culture,” said Wu. “If they see all these people come out and say ‘I’m a cancer survivor,’ hopefully it will give them the courage to seek help.”

Patch columnist and co-owner serves as the fundraiser’s special events chair. Chan was diagnosed with breast cancer three years after her mother battled the disease. Now, eight years later, she is cancer free.

“We need to get the word out and raise awareness about this wonderful organization,” said Chan. “We are all part of the solution.” 

For more information on the Southern California Chinese Relay for Life or to volunteer, click HERE.