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Why I RelayJul 19 '04 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Get involved! Support your local Relay For Life.
I Relay in the hopes that my children won't have to. ~~~ The Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's 24-hour walk to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. I have been involved in our local Relay for four years now. The first year, 2001, I just showed up with my kids as my sister invited me to check it out. Her ex was a skin cancer survivor, and his experimental treatment had been funded by Relay dollars. It just took once. I was hooked. In 2002, I joined my sister's team as an official member by raising over $100 and getting a Relay t-shirt. My son also became an official team member. We enjoyed games and contests throughout the 24-hour event. The kids really loved 'camping out' and the whole event was like a big party to them. In 2003, we formed a family team with members who had been on 'opposing' teams and family members new to Relay, and we ROCKED! We came in second place in total funds raised and total laps walked. Both my son and my daughter raised money and became team members. The best part was watching my sister, the "crazy old bald lady" as her kids called her, walk in the Survivor's Lap after defeating lung cancer. In 2004, the family team reformed with even more determination. Our sister had lost the battle to cancer just a few months prior. Her remission was short, and the cancer reappeared in her brain. It was hard to even think the word cancer at times. The kids were my inspiration. Our team consisted of just as many youth members as adults. All five of my late sisters' children, aged 9 to 15, were on our team, as well as my two children and other friends and cousins. My son won the "Spirit of Relay" award in 2003, and my daughter won it in 2004. They told everyone who would listen about Relay, raised money, made and sold crafts, gave their own money to buy luminaria to honor their uncle and aunt, and worked at fundraisers. If you knew my kids, they'd make sure you knew about Relay. My daughter's teacher was one of the people who nominated her for the award, and spoke of her enthusiasm for Relay and her love for her aunt. Her brother, who rarely has nice things to say about his little 'pest' sister, wrote about how caring and giving she was. Even through the tears, I could not be prouder. Our Relay— http://freelief.com/relay/ ACS— http://www.cancer.org  |
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