Nova Wright and Cindy Lyman stand proud next to photos of their military sons at the 17th annual Camp Out for Cancer. Ledger Dispatch photo by Gwen Johnson The Mad Hatters invite visitors to their tea party Saturday. Ledger Dispatch photo by Gwen Johnson

It was a scene worthy of Gene Kelly as light showers drizzled off and on throughout the sixth annual Camp Out for Cancer weekend Sept. 12 and 13. The participants were singing - and camping - in the rain.

"The rain is a good thing," said Ginger Rolf, volunteer director of Amador STARS and chairperson for Camp Out for Cancer. "It keeps the dust down and keeps things cooled down. A lot of us are thankful. It was 104 (degrees) Friday when we were setting up and everyone was complaining about the heat."

Camp Out for Cancer is Amador STARS (support, transportation and resource services) biggest fund-raiser, grossing between $90,000 and $110,000 every year, thanks to corporate sponsorships and the teams' vendor booths. According to Rolf, more than $90,000 was raised.

Throughout the weekend, teams camped along the Argonaut High School track and football field. By day, they sold craft items, munchies, and Camp Out for Cancer souvenirs or services such as hair braiding and massages. At various times of the day, they took a break from vending and walked around the track carrying banners to show their support for the cause. In the dark hours of Saturday evening, the walkers' path was lit by luminaries honoring individuals who have either died of cancer or are currently undergoing the cancer journey.

The rain started falling Saturday morning, but it didn't stop participants from having fun. This year's theme was "Going Hollywood for a Cure."

"This is our largest crowd ever," Rolf commented on this year's attendance. "We have more than 900 registered participants. Last year we had 600."

More than 200 people participated in the survivor celebration, boasting 115 cancer survivors plus their guests.

"The moment the word 'cancer' comes into their lives they start the cancer journey," Rolf said, noting that anyone who endures the journey becomes a survivor.

"We had some really creative booths this year," said director Nina Machado. "Their activities really complemented their themes."

"We had one group dress up like Shirley Temple and sell Shirley Temple (drinks) and animal crackers," Rolf said.

Big Jim Hall of KHITS Radio served as master of ceremonies. The high school marching band - led by Chris Tootle and comprised of Amador and Argonaut high school students - were part of the opening ceremony. Musicians Herb Boxhorn, Darcel Hunter, It's All Good and FreeZeout donated their time and talent to perform on the stage Saturday. The color guard of Girl Scout Troop 335 led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at noon. Other activities included the Great Amador Head Shave and haircuts gathering ponytails for Locks of Love.

"The enthusiasm and smiles are incredible," Rolf said.

Taresa Fine of Diane Witte State Farm Insurance was part of Team 8's Pirates of the Caribbean-themed booth, called "Making Cancer Walk the Plank." Fine, herself, is a cancer survivor. Ten years ago she was treated for colon cancer and has been cancer-free ever since.

"You just live day-to-day to the fullest," Fine said, emphasizing her family is her reason to live. "I have one grandson and another on the way."

Fine recognizes the importance of having a strong support group.

"I had lots of loving friends and family to help me through," she added.

Team 3 was Friends and Family Joining Together, a military-themed booth titled "I Pledge Allegiance for a Cure," which sold popcorn and raffle prizes. Their booth proudly displayed photos of their sons, who are serving in the U.S. Army.

Team 3's Nova Wright lost her husband on Aug. 2. He had battled pancreatic cancer twice and stomach cancer once. Their son is Specialist Joshua Wright, who is serving in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Her teammate Cindy Lyman also has a son, Specialist Weston Lyman, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. Lyman's husband is a cancer survivor, although her sister, mother, mother-in-law, father-in-law and close friends have died from the disease.

The two women look to their sons as hope for the future.

"I think it's important for everyone to take time out to think about these men who are over there (in other countries) defending our country so we can have what we have here - our freedoms," Wright said.

Jackson Masonic Lodge Number 65 sponsored the Mad Hatters Tea Party, with its Alice in Wonderland theme. The group sold tea, scones and cookies. They also had a Hatquarters to collect caps and hats for chemotherapy patients. The group collects between 600 and 800 caps all year long and distributes them to chemotherapy patients throughout the Sacramento, Stockton and Lodi areas.

Mad Hatter co-captain Peggy Bosch has participated in the event every year since its inception.

"When we all walk around the track, it gives us hope," Bosch said of her Camp Out for Cancer experience.

Her mother-in-law March Bosch is a breast cancer survivor. She opted not to have the chemotherapy, but did have radiation and part of her breast removed.

"I'm doing good so far," Marge said.

"Once you know anyone who's taken the cancer journey, you realize they need all the support they can get," Rolf said. "I don't think there's a person on this school ground who is not passionate about the event."

Amador STARS is a 501 (c)(3) public nonprofit organization. Ninety percent of the money raised funds local cancer services. The remaining 10 percent goes toward research.

According to the American Cancer Society's Web site, about 1,479,350 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year and approximately 562,340 Americans are expected to die from the disease. Cancer is second to heart disease as the most common cause of death in this country, claiming one out of every four deaths. The five-year relative survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 1996 and 2004 is 66 percent, which is up from 50 percent in 1975-1977.

"The improvement in survival reflects progress in diagnosing certain cancers at an earlier stage and improvements in treatment," the site claims.

For more information on Amador STARS, visit www.amadorstars.org. Staff can be reached at 223-1246 or via e-mail at info@amadorstars.org.