As each name was read for all to hear, Marrero wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. This Relay For Life, the 11th held by the City of Hollywood, was the one that her brother, Ramon Garcia, was to have stood up and walked across the stage for everyone to acknowledge.

  This event, which celebrates life and so many success stories in battling this unforgiving disease, was to be the place where Marrero, Garcia, family and friends were to sip a glass of wine and toast survival. It wasn't meant to be.

  At the age of 45, when so much of life is left to live, Garcia lost his battle to cancer. Three surgeries, months of painful chemotherapy, emotional ups and downs and a family that never gave up hope.  

  As the survivors walked around the park, Marrero and I joined in, lap after lap, as she told the story of two youngsters who grew up in Puerto Rico, moved to New York City at the age of 14, learned to speak English and began to raise families.

  "'Kiko' (Ramon) was a fighter," Marrero said, wrapping a small blanket around herself, fighting the cool night air. "He was one of those people who would never want anyone to feel sorry for him or for what he was going through. He never asked why me or complained."

   The bond between brother and sister was always tight. Their parents had only a 10th grade education and worked around the clock to put a roof over the family's heads and bring food to the table. While family vacations and dining out at restaurants were never elaborate, this was a family that knew the right formula to survive. What the Garcias did was raise two children to be passionate, caring and understanding.

   They showed them that having brand new homes and cars would be nothing without creating a family bond that would last forever.

   "I came here this evening to continue the fight and to applaud all these beautiful survivors," Marrero said. "This is all part of the healing process for me, and to watch these men and women walk around the park as cancer survivors, it all makes it so important to never give up the fight."

  Garcia came to the ArtsPark alone on this night, but after talking with survivors, their caregivers and families, she felt a sense of being a part of a group of people who knew exactly where she is now and where she came from. 

  As Garcia slipped into the night air and took part in all the festivities that the teams were providing, this all hit me. I have been a part of this, and just about every other Relay For Life event held in our communities since the beginning, and while I have cried for plenty of those who have lost their battle, the tears I shed at these gatherings are now of joy and the knowledge that all the money raised and the efforts to bring awareness is working.

   It is now becoming evident that communities such as Hollywood get what the true meaning of the Relay For Life is all about. It's not time to dwell on the negatives of the disease, but to honor life, recovery and survival. For 18 hours, city officials, residents and local businesses pour their hearts into raising money and having fun.

  From movies to games and a dunk tank, which featured local politicians such as Mayor Peter Bober, Vice Mayor Heidi O'Sheehan and Commissioner Beam Furr to City Manager Cameron Benson, Police Chief Chadwick Wagner, Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez, and Chamber of Commerce representatives Alan Kozow and Amber Gampinski, there was plenty to do.

   An amazing 30 teams, 328 people and countless businesses from the community serving up food and drink to entertain the hundreds and hundreds who came out to show support on a Friday night into Saturday morning.

  It wasn't only about the adults. The youngsters played a key role as well with the Hollywood Elementary fourth grade choir kicking off the event with some tremendous songs and area high schools such as South Broward, Hollywood Hills and McArthur raising money for the fight.

  Putting together an event like this takes months and months of planning. I can never say enough about those who organize and make the 18 hours productive in every way.

  Recognition has to go out to Event co-chairs Vice Mayor O'Sheehan and Robert Aspinall, Bill Vulpis (Team Development), Denise Yoezle (Team Retention), Marika Guyton (Survivors/Caregivers), Jeff Isham (Mission Education), Fay Katz (Advocacy & Luminaria), Victor Green (Activities & Entertainment), Deb Gronvold (Logistics), Lisa Liotta (Marketing & Publicity), Charles Howell (Accounting & Registration), Christophe St. Luce (Online), Ildiko Combrinck-Graham (Health Fair), Bridgit Bravo (Health Fair), 5K Run (Lt. Jack Anterio), Volunteers (Amber Gampinksi) and Lauren Welch (ACS Staff Partner).

  I have to also give a special shout-out to the sponsors who also made this a successful evening. Memorial Healthcare Systems, City of Hollywood, Waste Pro USA, Celebrity Cruises, Kindred Healthcare Hollywood, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Tastebuds Catering, Viscaya Valet, Majic 102.7, Artswork Printing, Sunshine Tents & Events and William Carrigan – Bagpiper.

  From the first events at South Broward High School, then to West Hollywood and Hollywood Beach, the Relay For Life has found a permanent home at the ArtsPark with people who truly get what this event is all about!