Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society sponsors an annual fundraising event called Relay for Life. Most towns hold this event sometime in April or May. This is a major fundraiser that supports those who have had cancer, those who are fighting cancer, and for family and friends of those who lost the battle to cancer. The money that is pledged to those who walk or run is used for research, education, advocacy, and patient services with the intention of curing this terrible disease.

Relay for Life is held during the overnight hours. During every hour of the night, there will be at least one person from each team on the track either walking or running. I recently read a newspaper article about the reason for holding the event overnight, and it stated that, "The walk through the night symbolizes a person's battle with cancer. At first, things seem okay, and then it starts to get dark when someone begins to get sick -- sunset. Then the diagnosis comes, and that is when it is really dark -- night. Cancer treatment symbolically begins at about 2 a.m., around the time that exhaustion starts to set in. Exhaustion is complete; it's difficult to remain awake and going, right around 4 or 5 a.m. This symbolizes the treatment phase. Then, there is a little light on the eastern horizon, the light at the end of the tunnel. When the sun comes up, there is hope at the end of all the treatments. But, there is no finish line until a cure is found."

Additionally, there is an event called Luminaria during the race where bags filled with lighted candles are placed around the track. Each candle represents one person who has survived the battle with cancer, one who is now fighting that battle, or one who has lost. Survivors are then called to take a lap around the track. Any individual can sponsor a Luminaria bag in honor or memory of an individual who has faced this disease.

I didn't know much about the American Cancer Society or Relay for Life until my dad lost his battle to kidney cancer last year. One of my best friends, Kerrianne Coe-Renner, will be running on a team in Monrovia, California, in memory of her mom and my dad, who both lost their lives to cancer within months of each other. I hope that I can participate personally in the event next year when Arden is older. If you want to support this cause either financially or by participating in a local race, you can check out http://www.relayforlife.org/ to find an event in your area.