fighting cancer…

one celebration at a time…

Fifteen days ago, a small group walked the first lap of Relay for Life. Relay for Life here on Grand Island, New York, is a celebratory event that serves as the fundraiser for the American Cancer Association. It’s a fun, though poignant, event that celebrates cancer survivors, as well as offering us an opportunity to remember those we lost as a community. In other words, Relay for Life is about joy, sorrow, caring, and community. So many of us have been touched by cancer. When we come to a Relay for Life event, we understand that we are not alone. We are in the presence of others who have experienced the challenges that we have had, either as caregivers or as survivors, and we come to realize that we have a supportive community that is there through bad times, as well as good times.

There are approximately 3,000 Relay for Life events held in 36 countries, in six continents. Even during times of international tensions, we feel bonded to one another through our shared experiences as cancer survivors or as caregivers of people with cancer. Our goal is the same: to eliminate cancer from the face of this earth.

Why not have fun while we are banishing cancer?

Lynn Dingey, one of the co-chairs for the Grand Island Relay for Life, said, “We’re going to unite with some superhero friends to finish the fight.”

Who doesn’t want to enlist the support of superhero friends to finish the fight against cancer?

Sometimes, the fight against cancer can be a bit fiery!

So, to kick it off, the first lap is especially enjoyable because it’s a way to celebrate the joyful lives and remember with love those we lost with the luminaria we make that glow at night as we walk slowly with reverence behind a bagpiper.

If you have Relay for Life in your community, please think about participating.