For the letter R I picked Relay for Life.
After getting done with my treatments in December 2004, I participated in my first Relay for Life. My friends and I got a group together and walked.
It is a heart warming event especially if you are a cancer survivor. I don't know depending on where you do your relay if they are all done the same way. But at ours, each person on a team gets a t-shirt. If you are a survivor you get another t-shirt. Also, before the relay starts they announce your name, how long you've been a survivor, you also get a medal and one carnation. You can invite one person to be with you which is usually a caregiver. Then you take the first walk. Then the survivors with their caregivers get a free meal. Naturally, I took my husband.
While the survivors are eating, the teams start walking. They announce each teams name. Our team was called "Steps for Hope". We carried this banner.
My husband made it. If you notice the big letters were little footsteps LOL. The relay starts in the afternoon and doesn't end until the next morning.
There are all kinds of little things going on during the night besides walking. Teams sell stuff like food, drinks, jewelry, to make extra money to donate. There are games and challenges.
Before the relay, you collect money either as a general donation or you can buy a luminaria that is put out along the way that relayers are walking that are lit and has a person's name that either is going through cancer, is a survivor of cancer or died from cancer. Sometime during the night, they announce all the names on the luminaries. It is really beautiful at night when you see all the candles lit. They changed after a couple of years from putting candles and sand in bags when it rained and put them in plastic containers.
There also is a ceremony where they let go of balloons.
There also is a ceremony where they let go of balloons.
I walked in 2005 - 2006 and 2007. These are the medals I got.
In 2008, I went and got the t-shirt and then my son called and I had to leave because there was an emergency at mom's house. In 2009, I missed again because mom was in rehab. Hopefully, this year I will be able to participate some.
If you ever get the chance to participate in the Relay for Life I would encourage you to go. It is a wonderful event. If you can't, why not make a donation to you local relay. I would like to see nothing more than cancer eradicated from the planet.
Now, go over to Jenny's and see what others have done for Alphabe-Thursday for the letter R
http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2010/05/alphabe-thursday-r.html
46 comments:
I support Relay for Life every year!
I have walked a few times and I support other walkers when I can't.
God Bless you from one survivor to another.
Viki, congratulations to you, I am so happy to hear you beat and are living proof of hope, and taking challenged you probably never thought you would or could. The Relay sounds fun, and so uplifting. I have never participated in one, I think I will next time I hear of one in town. Thank you.
I have done the Relay for several years. Interacting with the survivors is the best.
What a wonderful true story of determination and courage! So much better than fiction.;o) You are an inspiration to many!
God Bless You!
A very worthy relay! As you know, our son is a childhood cancer survivor and we have participated in past Relay for Life walks here. I love when they light up the lumianarias (the ones here were in paper bags with the names of cancer survivors and also in memory of others). Our son also performed music with his group at one of the Relays.
Blessings & Aloha!
Congratulations to you for supporting such a worthy cause. What an inspiration you are!
Your post brought tears to my eyes. I am 65 and I hope I never have to go through what you went through. As an RN for 45 years
( though not in oncology - for the last 21 years, I've been a forensic nurse in the field of adult and child sexual assault ), I've seen many cancer patients. Some survived, others did not. I applaud those of you who who participate in these relays for life and other such events that raise cancer awareness and encourage others to donate to the cure. Continued health and well being!
A wonderful, wonderful R post, Viki! God bless you and your efforts!
So happy to hear that you beat that dreadful disease, and congratulation. What a touching and heart-warming post, Viki!
Hi Viki,
Thanks for sharing your story. Relay for Life is a wonderful event. My son's have participated in the past while they were in high school as a tribute to their classmate and it was a very moving experience for him.
Inspirational. What a great sign hubby made - the footprints! Amazing.
Great post! Indeed a very good cause, in Ashland we kinda do the same things as your chapter. My mom walks with the survivor group, I've alway made a donation but will check it out this year from what I hear its a pretty amazing/emotional event to see. mike
Hi!
Congrats on your race. It's a very worthwhile event. My sister is a cancer survivor. Have a great day!
Sherrie
A View of My Life
http://splummer-aviewofmylife.blogspot.com/2010/05/alphabe-thursday.html
I support this every year - wonderful spirit, wonderful reminder, wonderful activity!
What a touching post. Hurray for you! I haven't participated, but I do support this cause by sponsoring. I wish you many more years of health!
Congratulations for being a survivor. Relay for Life looks wonderful. I think my girls are supposed to dance at it this year. Joni
Relay for Life is great...
way to go, Viki!
mine is here
wanna try my meme, Weekend Funnies ?
Happy Thursday!
hugs
shakira
Such an uplifting post, full of hope, so glad you are well.
~Maggie~
what a great thing to participate in :D
this post brought tears to my eyes...what a loving show of support. i love the sign your hubby made too!
Viki, I walked in Relay for Life two summers ago. I was on "Ann's Army" for my friend who was extremely ill with pancreatic cancer. She lost the fight a few months later. Relay for Life is an emotional event. It felt good to rally with others to do this for our friend who was fighting for her life in the hospital. Thank you for sharing this. I pray you remain cancer free.
Great post! I always donate artwork to silent auctions for cancer research, at least, whenever I'm asked.
Dear Viki,
I will most definitely participate if I hear of one in my city. What a touching and encouraging post. I am so glad you were able to beat cancer. Blessings,
Sweet Lady
that sounds like a lovely event
Congratulations to you for your courage and strength. Keep up the good work and fight.
Congratulations on being a Survivor~ Excellent post, thanks for sharing :-)
Very moving post. A friend is trying to get a team together for the fall. Here's hoping it all comes together.
Thanks for dropping by today. That was the best Christmas Eve ever. Easier to greet them coming home than saying good-bye when they go over.
Amen, sister...
What an awesome cause..
What a fabulous cause...Congratulations on being a survivor...
What a fabulous cause. Thanks for bringing it my attention. Sounds like something we should do Down under!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Great post. Thanks for making us aware of a great cause. Glad you're cancer-free now. And thanks for stopping by my blog.
Great post! This is such a wonderful cause to support. My daughter has participated in two relays, lighting a lumenaria for her grandmother. It is a very touching event, but it's also great fun to see so many people participating and having a great time. Kathy
I like the little steps sign & I think you're quite courageous - I know you've probably hear it all the time but I think it's true of all survivors, it does not matter of what the disease or the situation is
anyway, thanks for your visit to my alphabe-thursday
Hi Viki!!
I'm coming over from Aging Mommy's blog!!
Not sure if you wanted me to add you to the Over 40 Blogger List or not!!
If you do, just add the button and let me know and I'll get you right on the list!!
Hope your having a great week!!
Great R post Viki! And good for you..Oh, you asked on my R post how 'she' goes to the bathroom...I wondered too...very carefully I suppose (o:
Great R post! Although I haven't done Relay for Life, I have done the breast cancer walks for a dear friend of the family & my mother-in-law....both survivors!
I see you are in Cleveland? My husband grew up in Westlake, and my in-laws are looking to get a condo up there again for the summertime. They will probably live on the East side. I like the West side...I love Lake Road and Bay Village!!
~angela @ peonypatch
www.mccalled.com/peonypatch
Relay for Life is a great cause! Great R!
Good cause! My kids have been on teams a few times over the years staring in high school and now in college too. My daughter was a team leader this year.
This was The Best r post! Congratulations on being a survivor!
I have walked the relay for my mom and myself...here is to survivors!!!!!
Good R post - very inspiring!
I just learned about Relay for Life this year. I think it is a wonderful thing. Congratulations to you.
My daughter walks in this almost every year. Generally I help her with fund raisers by baking individually wrapped goodies for her work place.
This event is always so emotional and I thank you sincerely for sharing it with us on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "R"!
I'm so glad you are a survivor. You add so much to the world!
A+
Hi so sorry I am late reading this blog loved it glad I read it
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