News.bytes Extra, issue 343

BLM Eagle Lake takes part in Relay for Life

Susanville employees of the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office and the Lassen National Forest joined forces on Aug. 2 and 3 to support the annual American Cancer Society's Relay for Life held at Lassen High School. Similar events are held across the country. Participants pledge to walk specific distances or times in the 24-hour event, raising money for cancer research. The Susanville event reportedly generated $80,000. (text continues below)

At top, BLM and Forest Service team members at the FED up with Cancer exhibit applaud as the parade of cancer survivors passes in their event-opening lap. A throng of walkers passed the exhibit all day Saturday, through the night and into Sunday morning. The federal employees' exhibit was one of dozens that lined the track at Lassen High School.

The event focuses on Celebrating cancer survivors, Remembering those who have passed, and Fighting Back against the disease through research.

A poignant part of the event is the nighttime Luminaria in which decorated, illuminated bags honor those who lost their battles against the disease. The federal employees location honored several members of the BLM-California family, above, along with family members and friends of the team members. In all nearly 850 Luminaria remembrances were illuminated at the Susanville event, and the names read over the public address system.

The BLM/Lassen National Forest team poses at the start of the event.

- J. Fontana, 8/3/08

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 343