Relay For Life

Saturday starting at noon until noon today was Relay For Life.  An event put on by the American Cancer Society where for 24 hours people are constantly walking around a track, and raising money to go to cancer research.


Why do we walk?

HOPE - written out in Luminaries at last night's
 Relay For Life event

The 24 hours of walking are symbolic.  With the beginning being the diagnosis, the start of the journey, because the fight against cancer is exactly that: A journey. It is not a journey that anyone has to take alone.  That is why we walk together, because during everyone's journey there are people around who it is affecting, who are giving support.  There are people who are on the journey with them.
The second part of the walk is after the sun sets, beginning with the luminary ceremony that shows remembrance for all of those who have or had cancer.  The darkness represents the worst parts of the fight; the times when people lose their fight, and when the people closest to them feel they are unable to do anything about it.  These really are the darkest times.  
But the last part is the sunrise. Here we see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel: Hope. We hope for a cure, and that with every passing day and with every dollar donated we are close and closer to finding it.


Why do I walk?
This was my fourth relay, and every time I feel so lucky to never have lost anyone close to me to cancer. But seeing all of those around me, the people crying thinking about their lost loved ones really shows me how truly important this kind of thing is.  There were over a thousand people signed up for Ohio State Relay this year.  If each one raises at least their individual goal of $100 that's over $100,000 to go to cancer research.  That's huge.  Everyone can make a difference, especially in this.


What now?
I now implore all of you that in the future, you donate to organizations like the American Cancer Society, but participate more than just financially.  I ask you all to try and go to events such as Relay For Life and Buckeyethon because they do more than just raise money.  They show survivors and patients that there is a huge support group because everyone can relate, and everyone is willing to help.