Relay for Life

I spent a few minutes this weekend at a rally for the upcoming Relay for Life.  Relay, if you're not familiar with it, is an event of the American Cancer Society. Yes, it's a fund raiser...but it's much more.

Many years ago, before my personal experience with cancer, I was asked to MC an event for the local Relay.  I didn't know anything about the event, but I said yes because...well, because I'm a ham and jump at any chance to be before an audience.

At the end of the evening, they had a candle ceremony asking everyone to light a candle in remembrance of someone whose life had been touched by cancer; friend or relative - survivor or succumbed.  When they offered me a candle I declined explaining I was only the MC, not a part of the event.  But they insisted, so I thought, “OK, I'll do this in honor of my friend Wayne...no wait, I'll do this in honor of my grandmother...no wait, my sister, wait, my Mother....”

Then it hit me, I really needed to be a part of this.  After that, I spent several years volunteering for Relay but, in time, I drifted to other causes.

Now that I am a survivor, I'm back to Relay.  I'm going to walk proudly, and thankfully, in the survivor's lap, then remain for the rest of the event and raise whatever I can so more might join me in wearing a survivor shirt.

If you've never attended a Relay...visit one.  You don't have to participate to attend.  I'd suggest going for the Luminaria Ceremony around sunset.  The first time I attended remains one of my most memorable experiences.  The rest of the Relay is filled with laughter, tears, smiles, memories, and HOPE!