Long Beach Comes Together for the Team Spirit Cancer 5K

On October 17, Long Beach will come together for a different kind of race. Some will run, others will walk, and many will be there for someone they love. For some, it's a celebration of survival. For others, it's a chance to remember someone who lost their battle with cancer.

The 26th Annual Team Spirit Long Beach Cancer 5K brings patients, survivors, families, friends, and supporters together for a morning that goes well beyond crossing a finish line.

Hosted in support of the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center, the annual event helps raise funds for programs that support adults facing cancer and the families standing beside them.

Every Participant Has a Reason to Be There

Unlike a traditional race, where the focus is often on finishing times and personal records, Team Spirit is about the people taking part.

Some participants have completed cancer treatment and are celebrating another year of life. Others may be undergoing treatment or walking alongside a friend or family member who is. There are also those who participate in memory of someone they have lost.

For these individuals, the distance isn't necessarily the challenge. Sometimes, simply showing up carries a meaning that can't be measured in miles.

And that's what makes Team Spirit different. It gives people whose lives have been touched by cancer an opportunity to come together, share their experiences, and support one another.

Supporting Patients Beyond Their Treatment

Cancer care involves much more than medical appointments, medications, and treatments. For many patients, the journey also brings emotional challenges, uncertainty, and changes to everyday life.

The MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute provides cancer care and supportive services for patients and their families. Team Spirit helps raise funds for programs designed to assist people as they navigate life with cancer.

The event also gives the community an opportunity to see the human side of cancer care. Behind every diagnosis is a person with family, friends, responsibilities, and a life that continues outside the hospital.

For those who have never experienced cancer personally, participating can be a way to better understand what patients and their families go through.

A Long Beach Tradition Built Around Community

Now in its 26th year, Team Spirit has become a longstanding community tradition.

What makes the event special isn't necessarily the number of participants or how quickly someone completes the course. It's the opportunity to bring people together who might otherwise be facing some of life's most difficult moments on their own.

For survivors, it can be a celebration. For caregivers, a chance to be recognized. For families remembering a loved one, a way to keep that person's memory alive.

And for the Long Beach community, it's an opportunity to show that supporting someone through cancer doesn't always require a medical background. Sometimes, it begins with being there.

How to Participate

The 26th Annual Team Spirit Long Beach Cancer 5K takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Residents interested in participating, supporting a team, or contributing to the cause can find additional information through MemorialCare.

Event: 26th Annual Team Spirit Long Beach Cancer 5K
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Beneficiary: MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute
Information: MemorialCare Team Spirit Cancer 5K
Location: At Granada Beach

Whether someone comes to run, walk, cheer, or simply stand beside a loved one, Team Spirit offers something that reaches far beyond the finish line. It reminds everyone that no one should have to face cancer alone.