La Jolla’s pristine shoreline will swell with support for cancer patients and survivors on Sunday, July 11 as part of the fourth annual Survivor Beach event. From 8 to 11 a.m., surfers, cancer survivors and other advocates will line up their surfboards nose-to-tail starting at Scripps Pier. The line will extend along La Jolla Shores to raise awareness for research and recognize those whose lives have been affected by the disease. This year’s event, sponsored by the biotechnology firm Genentech, will attempt to secure a world record for the longest line of surfboards. At the 2009 Survivor Beach, nearly 250 people formed a 1,133-foot line, nearly the length of four football fields. “We do not know of any other group that has attempted the longest line of surfboards,” said Jade Griffin, UCSD marketing and communications manager. “Each year, we try to beat our record from the year prior.” Major advancements in research and treatments have been made as a result of the attention attracted by the event, said Dennis Carson, an MD and director of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center. “Like links in a chain, the Survivor Beach surfboard line symbolizes how cancer and the quest for a cure connects us all,” he said. “We are making scientific breakthroughs each day to bring us closer to a cure for our patients. We are so proud of the strides we’ve made in this quest and of this community’s support for our work.” Robin Rond, co-chair for the 2010 event, urged the public to participate. “Every year we are amazed and gratified by the numbers of supporters who come out with their longboards and want to participate in an inspirational event,” Rond said. “We reach more people every year with our survivors’ stories and message of hope.” Participants will hear stories from cancer survivors and sway to the strains of live music from local Josh Bonas and authentic dances by Heali’i’s Polynesian Revue, in addition to receiving souvenirs and a chance to win two tickets to the 17th annual Moores University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Cancer Center Luau and Longboard Invitational. This annual invitational, to be held on Aug. 22 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. near Scripps Pier, has raised more than $4.7 million during its 17 years of operation by bringing together legendary surfers, business leaders, scientists, politicians and celebrities to “surf for a cure.” Proceeds fund cancer research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, designated by the National Cancer Institute as the region’s only comprehensive cancer center. According to the event website, research advancements during the past decade have reduced the annual number of cancer-related deaths by 16 percent. However, the site adds that cancer remains the second-leading cause of death in the United States, taking the life of one in four Americans. One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lives, affecting about 1.4 million people nationwide this year and 150,000 Californians alone. To learn more about Survivor Beach or the Luau and Longboard Invitational, call (858) 822-1328, or visit www.longboardluau.org. Both events are free and open to the public.