Pictured from left to right, Jennifer Taylor, Umpqua Bank, store manager; Michael Rupe, Lake County Relay For Life, logistics chairperson; Beth Berinti, Lake County Relay for Life, event chairperson; Paula Bryant, Umpqua Bank, AVP/relationship manager. Photo by Ginny Craven.

LAKEPORT – Relay For Life is an annual event wherein teams raise funds to support cancer research, provide education and assist cancer patients through various resource and support programs.

The teams then walk for a continuous 24-hour period, maintaining at least one member of each team on the track at all times for the entire period. Because “cancer never sleeps” the participant teams commit to the 24-hour period to fight back against the disease.

The top fundraising team for the 2008 Lake County event, which took place on May 17-18, was the “Quick Steppers.” The team had a roster 26 strong, including five cancer survivors.

The team name was derived to honor Ron Quick, the one team member still in the midst of battle against cancer.

The team’s total was $7,550, with $1,500 coming in the form of matching funds from Umpqua Bank. To qualify for the funds, the Quick Steppers had to initially earn $5,000, an amount they exceeded.

Most members of the team do double duty as they are also staunch supporters and volunteers in the Operation Tango Mike volunteer effort to support our troops. The Lakeport branch of Umpqua Bank can proudly boast one hundred percent participation in Relay For Life 2008, as every employee raised funds, walked and contributed to the effort.

Ginny Craven is team captain for the Quick Steppers.

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