Michael Foster and Lorraine Schmalenberger come from different worlds — Foster is a geologist who is originally from England, while Schmalenberger is a San Diego native who works at a local nonprofit. Despite their differences, however, they have two things in common: they both love to surf and have survived bouts with cancer.

This Sunday, Aug. 24, they will join fellow cancer survivors Jeremy DeConcini and Laura Shawver as well as surfing legend Jericho Poppler to form the “Thrivers Team,” one of more than 20 surf teams that will compete during the annual Luau and Longboard Invitational at the University of California, San Diego. Since its debut 15 years ago, the luau and surf contest has generated $2.6 million in support for cancer research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center located on the university’s La Jolla campus.

“I’m happy to be involved with anything that supports cancer research,” says Foster, who is a colon cancer survivor and first-time luau participant. “The event is a great opportunity to raise money and awareness for something that is important to me.”

For Schmalenberger, who was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer five years ago, competing in the surf competition is a big honor. “A friend of mine told me they were looking for cancer survivors who surf,” she says. “While I never thought of myself as a ‘survivor’ I responded to the call and was fortunate to receive an invitation to surf on the team.”

The Thrivers Team has been an important component of the luau for the last several years and has traditionally been sponsored by the event’s title sponsor, which this year is Pfizer La Jolla. Each surf team is comprised of three or four members chosen by the sponsor company plus a randomly selected surf “legend.” For the Thrivers Team, their surf legend is Jericho Poppler, an influential pioneer of women’s professional surfing and championship surfer, who is also a cancer survivor.

“I’m very excited to be surfing with Jericho,” says Schmalenberger. “I’ve read about so many of the legends, but met very few.” Other legends invited to participate include Tom Morey (of Morey Boogie Board fame), David Nuuhiwa, Tubesteak Tracey and Debbie Beacham as well as many more.

The competition will take place at Scripps Pier in La Jolla beginning at 7 a.m. and continue for most of the morning. A ceremonial conch will be blown at 11:30 a.m. to signal the beginning of the luau, which will feature a sumptuous buffet, live music and traditional dance presentations as well as live and silent auctions. Another highlight of the event is the presentation of the Rell Sunn “Queen of Makaha” Award, which was established in memory of Sunn, a Hawaiian surfer and longtime Luau and Longboard Invitational supporter who lost her battle to breast cancer. This year’s recipient is Dr. Doris Howell, a distinguished physician who helped establish San Diego Hospice. Her work inspired UC San Diego to name a clinical service in her honor – the Doris A. Howell Service, which provides palliative and supportive care for cancer patients. Howell is being recognized for her selfless devotion to the care of others, especially those whose lives have been affected by cancer.

“We’re looking forward to another spectacular event this year thanks to all our sponsors, friends and volunteers,” said Tori Pitruzello, event co-chair. “It is only by working together that we can hope to one day overcome cancer.”

The surfing competition is free for viewing; a ticket to the luau fundraiser is $150. For more information, please call (858) 822-0023 or visit www.longboardluau.org.