Walking. It’s an easy task we learn at a young age. One foot in front of the other. Speed makes no difference, walking is something everyone does. We walk through life hoping the place we are going is more fulfilling then the last. We walk away from our problems and we walk right into others. Some people walk for something different. They walk for a cure. A cure for cancer. One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. 1.4 million people this year alone will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. With those kind of numbers, we cannot afford to not pay attention and help with the fight against cancer.
One way anybody can help with the fight against cancer is participating in an event called Relay for Life. This event is organized by the American Cancer Society, but held in hundreds of different locations every year. I had the opportunity to participate in the Williams Campus Relay for Life during last four years. Last year however they changed it into Arizona State University Polytechnic’s Relay for Life, but most importantly it was the 25 anniversary for Relay for Life. Two summers I was asked if I would be interested in becoming Co-Chair for the upcoming year.
When I questioned what that would entitle I was told I would be overseeing the Survivorship and Luminary team. When I said I would be honored to take the position I did not realize I would be overseeing my moms old co-workers and bosses. Both teams are easy and fun to work with, even with me being 20 years younger then they are, we all respect each other because we all came together for an event that has effected us all in some way or another.
Relay for Life is more then a basic walk for money. It is a 12 hour ceremony emphasizing hope and celebrating a cure for cancer. The event starts with off with the Survivors Lap, which is an extraordinary thing to be a part in. Picture over a hundred people; from the youngest at 9 months to the oldest at 98, all wearing purple shirts with the word SURVIVOR on the back. The sun is down, the luminary bags light the way around the field. Each bag has a name, they are the ones we remember. While the survivors start walking, everyone else is cheering them on, screaming and crying because while we remember the ones we lost, we celebrate with the ones that are still here, and fight back for the future generations.
Over the years of participating in Relay for Life I have been asked why I relay. Is it because of my grandfather, who has always been there for me, but for as long as I can remember has had skin cancer. Or is it for my aunt Rene, the one I never was fortunate to meet because she passed away at the age of nine, due to leukemia. Maybe my best friend, who developed skin cancer a couple years ago. Or how about my sweet cousin Leihua, who died of a brain tumor at the age of 22- just this year. I remember with Rene and Leihua, Celebrate with my grandfather and best friend, but I fight back for me and the countless others that might be that one of three people that develop some kind of cancer in our lifetime.
On April 23rd, I will put one foot in front of the other from 6 at night until 6 the next morning. I will cheer my grandfather and best friend while they walk the Survivor Lap, I will walk with my team during the Remembrance walk, and I will walk and support my team for a night of celebration, remembering and our chance to fight back.
One way anybody can help with the fight against cancer is participating in an event called Relay for Life. This event is organized by the American Cancer Society, but held in hundreds of different locations every year. I had the opportunity to participate in the Williams Campus Relay for Life during last four years. Last year however they changed it into Arizona State University Polytechnic’s Relay for Life, but most importantly it was the 25 anniversary for Relay for Life. Two summers I was asked if I would be interested in becoming Co-Chair for the upcoming year.
When I questioned what that would entitle I was told I would be overseeing the Survivorship and Luminary team. When I said I would be honored to take the position I did not realize I would be overseeing my moms old co-workers and bosses. Both teams are easy and fun to work with, even with me being 20 years younger then they are, we all respect each other because we all came together for an event that has effected us all in some way or another.Relay for Life is more then a basic walk for money. It is a 12 hour ceremony emphasizing hope and celebrating a cure for cancer. The event starts with off with the Survivors Lap, which is an extraordinary thing to be a part in. Picture over a hundred people; from the youngest at 9 months to the oldest at 98, all wearing purple shirts with the word SURVIVOR on the back. The sun is down, the luminary bags light the way around the field. Each bag has a name, they are the ones we remember. While the survivors start walking, everyone else is cheering them on, screaming and crying because while we remember the ones we lost, we celebrate with the ones that are still here, and fight back for the future generations.
Over the years of participating in Relay for Life I have been asked why I relay. Is it because of my grandfather, who has always been there for me, but for as long as I can remember has had skin cancer. Or is it for my aunt Rene, the one I never was fortunate to meet because she passed away at the age of nine, due to leukemia. Maybe my best friend, who developed skin cancer a couple years ago. Or how about my sweet cousin Leihua, who died of a brain tumor at the age of 22- just this year. I remember with Rene and Leihua, Celebrate with my grandfather and best friend, but I fight back for me and the countless others that might be that one of three people that develop some kind of cancer in our lifetime.
On April 23rd, I will put one foot in front of the other from 6 at night until 6 the next morning. I will cheer my grandfather and best friend while they walk the Survivor Lap, I will walk with my team during the Remembrance walk, and I will walk and support my team for a night of celebration, remembering and our chance to fight back.
*Since I wrote this I have become the Event Chair Of Arizona State University's Relay For Life program run through American Cancer Society
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