Relay for Life
Wow! That word pretty much sums up my experience with Relay for Life. I was lucky enough to participate in the event this past weekend with a good friend and her family. This family has been battling cancer for the past several years and I was honored to join their team!
I wasn't sure what to expect when joining but was up for the challenge to walk, cook, and sell from 5:00pm Friday night until 5:00am Saturday morning to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. I cannot begin to tell you the emotions I felt while looking around at all the survivors (wearing purple shirts) and the support from the community. Awesome!!!!
The relay started with the opening ceremony in which the Survivors walked the first lap. This was the first of many tears for me that night. It was amazing to see these strong people!
The second lap was with the Survivors and their caregivers....next set of tears for me :)
This was our tent. We sold "walking tacos", drinks, and ACS/Relay for Life items.
Our bean bag toss area
After the first 2 laps, they called out teams and we walked the field with our banners.
This is Amie and my reason for participating. Our husbands have been best friends since early in high school. Amie and I became friends when she started dating her husband. It is her family that has had to battle cancer and whose team I joined/supported. Amie was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. She has a 3 year old, Connor (in the bean bag picture) and an almost 1 year old, Blake. She has a heart of gold!!! I am honored to be her friend as she has such an optimistic outlook on her battle which makes it so easy to be positive with her!
This is the luminaria ceremony. All the bags were lit and the lights cut off....another teary moment.
Amie's bag
This is the luminaria ceremony. All the bags were lit and the lights cut off....another teary moment.
Amie's bag
After most of the public left, we played games throughout the night to stay awake and to keep people walking. I walked from 10pm to 11pm and then again from 3pm to 4pm. At midnight, we cranked up the generator and started cooking bacon egg cheese sandwiches. So yummy! There is nothing like the smell of bacon to bring in the masses. They sold like hot-cakes!!!
At 4:30am, we closed up shop and headed home. I was in bed by 5am but soon woke up at 7 with the sun. I somehow forced myself back to sleep many times and finally got up at 12:30pm. My body was sore and felt like I had a hang over. This 31 year old body doesn't recover from all-nighters very well anymore but it was totally worth it.
Our booth was very successful. We are still able to take donations so if you'd like to contribute, please follow this link. Thank you in advance for the support!!!
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