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Theyre helping turn Ripon purple for Relay for Life
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RIPON — Keeping the memory and the passion of cancer research supporter Alison Council is what is motivating Ripon women to “paint the town purple” with ribbons and banners that can be seen throughout the town.

Helen Caetano, Carol Bauman, Roz Crombly and Dawn Krebbs went through the community placing bows and ribbons on street lights and on fences to remind members of the community of the upcoming Relay for Life 24-hour event set for the Ripon High School football field May 15 and 16.

City workers hung cancer society banners on street lights in the downtown business district with the theme offering “faith, strength and courage.”

John Long of Economy Signs designed the banners that were paid for through donations in excess of $1,000, Caetano said.

This year’s Relay for Life walk and its special sessions will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, with an expected 350 members of the community representing 38 teams – the goal was 35, according to coordinator Shannon Paxton.  There were only 28 teams on the field last year, she added.  A committee of eight women is credited with putting this year’s event together.

Paxton said this year’s fund-raising goal for the American Cancer Society’s activity is $115,000.  Last year Ripon residents raised $90,000 in support of medical research to battle the disease.    The Relay for Life is designed to show community support for those individuals living with cancer and to honor those who have lost their lives to the dreaded disease.