Relay for Life

A couple of weeks ago I participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. OK, so this is not really just a Pensacola thing. And there are actually several of these events in the area. But you know what? It's a great event, and I would encourage you to participate in any of them, wherever you are!

The Relay for Life is a fund raising event run by the American Cancer Society. As I said, they run them all over the area, and all over the country. Here are the basics. People and businesses form Teams for the Relay. These teams try to raise money for the event in an incredible variety of ways. The events are held typically at a school or college, using their Track to hold the event. The night of the event there is a dinner held to celebrate Cancer Survivors. The Survivors are given special purple Survivor T-shirts. At 6:00PM on Friday night is the first lap. This lap is for all the Survivors. It is very powerful to see the sea of Purple Shirts in this first lap! Each team has to keep at least 1 walker on the track for the 24 hours until the event ends. In reality the track is pretty full throughout the event.

The one exception is Friday night at 9:00PM. This is when the Luminaria ceremony is held. The Luminaria are another fund raiser for the event. The Luminaria are small bags with a candle inside that line the track edges. The bags are available for any donation. You then write the name of either someone who is a Cancer Survivor, or in memory of a Cancer Victim. Just before 9:00 the candles are all lit. At 9:00 for the ceremony, all other lights at the track are turned off, so that the Luminaria are the only lighting. A lone Bagpiper makes a single trip around the track playing "Amazing Grace". It is a very moving moment. There are a few other speeches and songs , and then the regular event resumes.

So how is money raised? There are an incredible variety of ways! Many of the businesses have specials throughout the year to raise money for the event. For instance, my team is from Angel's Garden, a wonderful little boutique gift shop on 12th avenue. They have a great Spiced Cider mix they sell, and all the proceeds go to the ACS. There are many dining events where proceeds are donated. The night of the event, many teams set up food booths. Others offer neck massages, or raffle items. Track Markers (signs) are for sale from the teams as well. This gives people or businesses a chance to express their support for the event. It's really a very creative and enjoyable event, and all for a good cause!

You may ask what is a Cancer Survivor? Basically if you have had any form of Cancer and are still alive, you are a Survivor! The last statistic I heard said that 1 in 3 people will have some form of Cancer. So chances are excellent that you or someone you know will face Cancer. Cancer has definitely touched my life. My Mother lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer. My Father is a Prostate Cancer Survivor. My Wife is a Thyroid Cancer Survivor. There are other cases in my family as well.

So, please, if you have any interest in participating in this event, call your local American Cancer Society office for more information. Even if you don't want to get involved in the teams or fundraising, just go out and walk the track next time you see the Relay advertised. There is no cost to get in, and you can have a great time very inexpensively, and support a great cause.

To find a Relay for Life near you, visit the American Cancer Society or Relay for Life websites.