Two years ago, I pushed Ben's wheelchair on the first lap of the Relay For Life - the Survivor's Lap.
Nancy, Natalie, Aaron, Sadie and I walked with Ben, who was clinically in remission with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
This year, as we stepped on the track to support the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Nancy and I were unexpectedly overcome. We struggled to check in and had to take a few moments to catch our breath and regain our composure.
This year, there would be no Survivor's Lap for us.
Every summer, in communities all over the world, there are Relays to raise awareness and money for cancer research and support programs. Relay Teams start with the 2nd lap at about 6:15 p.m. on a Friday and walk through through the night until noon or so Saturday.
The American Cancer Society's slogan is "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back."
Celebrate
At the Relay, we celebrate those who have survived cancer. We line the track and cheer the survivors in their purple shirts as they take a lap.
When I was in 5th grade, my friend Kevin was diagnosed with leukemia. Back then, there was little they could do. He was gone in a matter of weeks.
Now some forms of childhood leukemia have a 95% cure rate.
We have a lot to celebrate.
Remember
At the Relay, we remember those who did not survive. We decorate luminaries that line the track and give light through the night.
Here is Sadie sitting between Josh and Ben's luminaries.
Some Relay events will also read the names of those remembered or project a slide show at night.
We don't need an event to remember our lost loved ones. We never forget. But there is something healing about remembering with others. Others who are missing their grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters. nieces, nephews, husbands, wives, friends, sons and daughters.
Fight Back
More Celebrating and less Remembering means a lot of Fighting Back. And that takes money. The Relay Teams raise donations from their friends and family. Businesses donate food and other goods to be sold at the Relays to raise money. Teams have booths and games to raise money.
This year, our family was recovering from the flu, so we weren't up to relaying and just stayed a while. But those who stayed survived a horrendous thunderstorm that literally blew down all the campers' tents and the booths. They took shelter in the high school gymnasium and went back to rebuild after the wind, hail, lightening and rain had passed.
We went back for a few hours Saturday morning to the carnival and booths. Our team had a photo booth with cardboard cutouts of celebrities, costumes lent by a local theater company.
Aaron did his best Edward Cullen (of Twilight) impression for the kids. And they were in charge of the hamburger and hot dog BBQ.
Sadie enjoyed bouncing in the inflatables provided by the Army. And you need to check out the very cool face painting by professional make up artists.
Chances are, there's a Relay for Life in your area. Even if you don't want to get involved with a Team, plan on dropping by and spend your lunch money in the cause of Fighting Cancer. Bid in a silent auction for a gift basket. Watch the magicians and enjoy the bands.
We'll be there every year. And if you want to know more about the Relay for Life, or want to make a donation, click here.
Celebrate more, Remember fewer!