Hundreds of surfers, cancer survivors and friends will gather together, with surfboards in hand, on La Jolla Shores Sunday, June 19 for an annual San Diego tradition: Survivor Beach. Attendees will place surfboards along the edge of the shore, nose-to-tail, from Scripps Pier down La Jolla Shores, with the goal of forming a record-breaking line of several hundred surfboards. Now in its fifth year, Survivor Beach provides a stunning visual demonstration of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center's commitment to finding a cure for cancer and supporting those who have fought the devastating disease.
Sponsored by biotechnology company Genentech, Survivor Beach is free and open to the public. This one-of-a-kind event will take place from 8-10 a.m. and is a precursor to the 18th annual Luau and Longboard Invitational, which is slated for August 21. The goal of both events is to raise awareness and critical funds for research, patient care, and outreach and educational programs at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, the region's only Comprehensive Cancer Center, designated by the National Cancer Center Institute.
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, and it is estimated that one in three people will fight cancer at some point in their lives.
"Survivor Beach is a dynamic illustration of the breadth and depth of San Diego's support for the quest to find a cure for cancer," said Dennis Carson, MD, director of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. "Thanks to the backing of our local community and friends, we are able to make incredible scientific breakthroughs which have real impact in the battle against cancer. Each day, we come closer to conquering this disease."
At last year's event, more than 250 people joined forces to create a surfboard line of more than 1,425 feet or almost five football fields. This year organizers of Survivor Beach hope to top that length.
Terry Ash is co-chairing this year's Survivor Beach. As one of the original founders of the annual Luau and Longboard Invitational fundraiser and a past member of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center Board of Directors, Ash is a passionate advocate for the research and care provided by the Cancer Center. But it wasn't until two and a half years ago when Ash was diagnosed with head and neck cancer that the cause became truly personal.
Since that time, he has undergone 100 treatments including radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Ash remains optimistic and hopes to share his positive outlook with those who may need it on June 19.
"Survivor Beach can encourage existing patients that they can beat this," said Ash. "I hope we can reach out to the survivors, as well as the people who are equally touched and have sacrificed so much: the caregivers. In many ways, family members are true survivors, too."
Jessica Yingling, co-chair and founder of Survivor Beach agrees: "This is a tangible way that individuals can show their support in the quest for a cancer cure and pay tribute to those who have battled the disease."
She continued: "Private donations and financial support from the community are key for the Cancer Center to continue to pursue groundbreaking research and innovative programs for our fight against cancer."
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