What happens when you mix a fandom with a cause for cancer survivors and their caregivers? That event is May The Cure Be With You. Presented by UCAL Health in association with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, this fundraiser lasted from nine in the morning to nine in the evening.
Every minute of the event was backed with entertainment for cancer survivors, their caregivers, and supporters of the cause. When asked what the event was, Sam Di Santo, a co-chair, answered that it was not like a traditional run; people heard Rally for Life and got very concerned. It’s not a 5k or 10k. It is more like a festival with live music, games, and activities.
It was held in an open space at Santa Clarita’s Central Park complex. The event was laid out like a monopoly board. The outside perimeter was built of sponsor pop tents, then a fifteen-foot-wide track sandwiched between more sponsor pop tents. The track allowed participants to walk around and interact with the various booths. Some booths were running raffles and midway-type games to raise more funds for the cause! There were even various craft booths to show support for cancer survivors.
Where does the fandom come in with this event? If you are familiar with Star Wars, there is a community holiday on the fourth of May called May the Fourth Be With You. This is also where the event has gotten its namesake. This has become the unofficial Star Wars holiday. Sam also asked how we could not have the day set us up perfectly. This is not a surprise either, as Kelly Kruger, another co-chair, said we had been planning this a little before the start of our last event, which was on May 6 last year.
According to the Relay for Life website, the goal was to raise $300,000 to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support. At the time of publication of this article, the event had raised $273,921.60, which is a little short of their goal, but the donation window had yet to close. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
To close the event, there was a luminaria ceremony and a silent lap around the track to honor those who have been lost to cancer as well as the ones who have won their battle and survived. Sam also said that the point of the event was to raise money to find cures for cancer so that we can get to a point where when someone hears they have cancer, their response is no biggie: give me the treatment and move on.
As ‘May The Cure Be With You’ wrapped up under the no-so-warring stars of Santa Clarita, the fusion of a beloved cinematic universe with a powerful cause created an unforgettable day of hope and solidarity. The blend of fun, remembrance, and collective effort highlighted how community involvement can turn an ordinary day into a powerful force for change. Whether attendees came as Star Wars enthusiasts or supporters of cancer research, the event demonstrated the strength found in unity. Together, we can make strides toward a future where cancer is merely a manageable condition, not a fearsome battle with the dark side. This event aimed to hit its fundraising target and light up the darkness with every step taken on that track, reminding us all that in the fight against cancer, nobody walks alone.