On The Town:

Dozens of cancer survivors and their friends and family filled the main auditorium of Glendale Adventist Medical Center on Friday to lunch and listen to ABC7 Eyewitness News weekend weather anchor Danny Romero Danny Romero recount his experiences as a three-time cancer survivor.

Cancer Survivor Day celebrated all people diagnosed with cancer and those who have experienced cancer through family or friends. Glendale City Councilwoman Laura Friedman also described her experience as a cancer survivor. A new bride in 2005, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn’t know if her young groom, Guillaume Lemoine, would step up to the plate and deal with all that went with cancer treatments. Lemoine was more than up to the task. He went with Friedman to every medical appointment and even “force-fed me through all my chemotherapy,” Friedman said.

Now cancer-free, Friedman credits her husband with the idea of Glendale garden tours that raised $38,000 for cancer services at Glendale Adventist, including a fitness and yoga class for cancer survivors.

Lemoine, a landscape designer, was honored at the annual luncheon in a “Flame of Hope” ceremony. He received the Community Award, along with those who participated in the planning of the garden tours, community advocate and artist Arlene Vidor and Glendale Director of Planning Elaine Wilkerson. Glendale Adventist President/Chief Executive Morre Dean honored the three community volunteers.

Also recognized was Glendale resident and cancer survivor Kendra Wilson. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma one year ago and credits the staff at Glendale Adventist for her survival. Wilson was joined at the luncheon by her niece from San Clemente Makena Mamola, 2.

Available at the luncheon were American Cancer Society fliers promoting Relay for Life of Glendale, where cancer survivors may join the Survivors’ Lap Ceremony that begins each Relay for Life. Glendale’s next Relay for Life will be at Scholl Canyon on Oct. 17 and 18.

The Glendale Symphony Orchestra Assn. members presented their “Summer Evening under the Stars” gala fundraiser atop Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the museum courtyard over-looking our Jewel city Thursday.