Fight cancer by cruzin

Dave Ortega’s eggplant-and-cream-colored, 1955 Chevy glittered in the sunlight Saturday at the Santa Maria Cruzin’ for Life, which raises money to fight cancer.

As a prostate cancer survivor, Ortega said he was inspired to turn out for the event.

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He has been cancer-free for 10 years.

Cruzin’ for Life included a car show, cruise with cancer survivors along for the ride and Burnout Competitions at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Funds raised during the event go to the Marian Cancer Center and the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, said Cindy Alvarado, a Cruzin’ for Life board member.

Around 300 vehicles participated in Saturday’s cruise.

“Everything has just been fantastic,” he said. “We’ve just raised so much for cancer. So, it’s a good thing.”

Brad Crawford, 21, of Nipomo watched the parade of classic cars with his friend, 21-year-old Mark Johnson, also of Nipomo.

“They’re pretty cool,” Crawford said of the vehicles. “There’s more than I thought there would be.”

Crawford said he is interested in cars, and is working on a couple of them.

He is thinking about bringing one of the cars to next year’s Cruzin’ for Life, he said.

The fifth annual Cruzin’ for Life outgrew two other homes and moved to the fairpark this year. Saturday night, participants took part in a dinner, auction and dance at the fairpark.