Hermosa Lifeguard Walks for Cancer Research

For Hermosa Beach resident and county lifeguard , the annual  in Manhattan Beach is a labor of love.

The 3-mile event, which takes place Saturday, raises funds for cancer research through the Lungevity Foundation—and Riddle has served as a volunteer, raising awareness of the need for lung cancer research ever since her sister Adriane, who didn't smoke, died at age 20 from lung cancer.

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"Anything I do is obviously inspired by my sister," Riddle said.

During the day, Riddle serves not only as a county lifeguard but also as a pharmaceutical sales rep for the company that manufactured the drug her sister used during her battle with lung cancer.

Proceeds from Breathe Deep L.A. will support two specific research tracks, according to a statement from Riddle: expediting the development of an effective early detection strategy to find all lung cancers while they are still localized and treatable, and identifying therapeutic agents that provide customized genetic intervention for lung cancer.

"My sister’s chances of survival would have been greatly increased had we known about it much earlier," she said.

To join the walkers and hear speakers, get to the Manhattan Beach Pier between 8 and 10 a.m. to trek along The Strand to Rosecrands Avenue and back.