My First 'Relay for Life' to Help Fight Cancer

Relay For Life

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life event is a life-changing experience that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to Celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, Remember loved ones lost, and Fight Back against the disease.

Last week I participated in my first 'Relay for Life' walk. This incredible event is one of the biggest fundraisers sponsored by the American cancer Society. I joined my friend and neighbor Tom, in putting together a group of friends, family and neighbors for this event. We called our team, "The Foxgate cancer Fight Club."

Tom and I were co-captains for the relay because we are both cancer survivors. Tom was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme tumor which is an aggressive type of brain cancer. I was diagnosed with non-small-cell lung carcinoma which is a less aggressive type of lung cancer.

I was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2004 and just four months later, Tom was diagnosed. We have gone through this journey together as neighbor friends and I am grateful for the support. We've both had our share of ups and downs in this fight but we continue to thank God for every day.

I was so excited for this race and finally, the day was here. Laura woke me in the morning by saying, "Linda, happy "Relay for Life" day." Laura and the kids made me feel very special as they got things ready for the big day.

Even the neighbor kids helped out with last minute preparations. They were decorating luminary bags which will be lit at dusk. The luminaries are in honor of survivors and in memory of those who have lost the battle.

This event in Hopkins, Minnesota was well organized. There were many events for survivors. One of my favorites was getting my hand print done for the survivor wall.

I got very choked up at my first relay. The opening ceremonies began at 7PM. All friends and family members of survivors, sat on the bleachers. Survivors sat on the track and could see the support system above them. The ceremony consisted of two speakers. One of the speakers was a two-time survivor of breast cancer who told the story of her courageous battle. When the speakers were done, the color guard marched in unison. Next, the survivors did the first lap around the track called "the survior lap." The second lap we were joined by friends and family.

As dusk fell upon the Hopkins High School racetrack, luminary bags filled with sand, were lit. The bright lights symbolize survivors that are continuing to fight the battle against cancer and those that have lost and gone to a better place. One of the most beautiful moments of the race was the "lap of silence." People walked the track either remembering those they loved who lost the battle or feeling gratitude for those they love that continue to fight.

I hope you have enjoyed the highlights of my first "Relay for Life" . This fundraiser is a powerful way to fight cancer. My dream is that there will be a cure for cancer in my lifetime. God Bless all of you that are fighting this terrible disease and thank you to those incredibly important people that support us and keep cancer survivor's hopeful.