#29 Relay For Life

I don't think there is a person out there that doesn't know someone that has been affected by cancer. Relay For Life is a part of the American Cancer Society that raises TONS of money to help find a cure for this terrible, often times deadly, disease.  What happens is people put together teams to raise money. At the event, teams are responsible for decorating a tent that follows whatever the theme is for that particular event. They also come up with something to sell from their tent that proceeds go to the American Cancer Society as well. There is a big opening ceremony with music and a Survivor's March. Each team is then presented and walk their opening lap around the track. From that point on, each team must have a member on the track at all times throughout the next twelve hours (at night!). When it gets dark, people put out luminaries around the track with people's names that have dealt with cancer and a message to that person, if desired. This is always a very emotional time. It is ended with a breakfast and a closing ceremony where the money raised is announced along with any other awards.

This was my second experience with Relay For Life. I remember walking around a track in Yakima, WA and trying to find the luminary that someone made for my Grandma Rena when I was a little girl. It was fun to participate this year with my sister's church group. I'm not even going to try and take any credit for how awesome our tent turned out because The only thing I really brought to the group was an outlandish outfit. Haha! I totally appreciate the hard work they put in. Organizing that kind of stuff is not quick and easy.

Having grown up in Gooding where the event was held allowed me to see a bunch of people I hadn't seen in a long time like past teachers, co-workers, volleyball players, and students! That was pretty awesome to catch up! My dad even came down to walk with my sister and I and helped us make luminaries for his mom, dad, brother, and our mom's dad. It makes me sad to think about how this disease has plagued not only my family (I often "joke" that I'm genetically screwed), but friends and friends' families as well.

Bottom line: get screened for the things you ought to be screened for and support great causes like Relay For Life and American Cancer Society. :)