Relay for Life has been a huge event in Tehachapi for several years. Local businesses come together to help raise awareness about cancer. Unfortunately, most of our staff has been impacted or lost someone due to cancer. Usually RST would just fly the American Flag for the event, but last year we decided to fly the flag and form our own team. We were called, RST Cranes “walks to remember Daisy Love”. Daisy was a young girl who had passed away from cancer and we felt in our hearts that we could help and be a part of such a wonderful event. Our crew instantly raised funds and helped come up with activities to help support Relay for Life.
One of the most exciting parts of the event was being able to let the community strap on a hard hat and experience what our crane operators do on a daily basis. We came up with the idea of ” Crane Rodeo”. The object of the game was to set the boom into three barrels of water in a timely manner. The three barrels were spread out and the operator had to learn the controls and figure out how to manage and get them in the obstacles without knocking them down. It was a great experience and the community loved it. A woman had even told us that her ” husband had always dreamed of operating a crane”, it brought much delight to see him bright-eyed and excited to be a pretend operator for a few minutes.
It was a really beautiful moment at the end of the evening when we were able to hear the success stories of people beating cancer. Relay for Life will be here shortly. If you would like to help and support feel free to visit us on July 12th or click on the link below to findour team. You can find us at Jacobsen Middle School near the big crane!
A few facts about Relay for Life
1. Last year, we gave 16500 cancer survivors rides to treatment, making nearly 200,000 round-trips for patients and caregivers.
2. Nearly 14 million people in the US who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year!
3. Last year, Relay for Life was able to help close to 89,000 people understand their cancer diagnoses and find the help they need.
4. Since the 1960s, there has been a 50% drop in smoking, which in turn has contributed to an overall drop in lung cancer death rates.
5. Since 1946, we’ve invested more than $3.9 billion in cancer research.
6. Every year, more than 4 million people come together at Relay for Life events around the world to support the American Cancer society and help finish the fight against cancer!
