Relay For Life...

Celebrate

Remember

Fight Back

As the lights dims, the entire field of walkers are all gathered in one area. The track is lined with burning luminary bags the have been purchased in honor or memory of a cancer survivor.  Everyone waiting all hold cups that have lighted candles in them. The lone bagpipe begins to play as he slowly starts to walk around the track. The survivors lead this group of about 1000 people. The entire group walks around the track in complete darkness and total silence to remember all those that have lost their fight with cancer. The bleachers on the other side of the field has the word COPE spelled out in luminary bags. The emotion and symbolism of this event is one that can not really be described.

Different booths around the track as you walk around

Beginning to gather to begin the remembrance ceremony

As I sat in the bleachers on the other side of the field, I thought about how Heather had attended her first Relay for Life event in 2005. She had not done any fund raising, it was an event to go walk around the track all night. Little did she know that 3 short years later she would be in a fight for her very life.

COPE~close to 1000 walker in silence to remember those who died to cancer

 Our neighbors, The Brown Family, were and still are very involved with Relay for Life. Natalie Brown and Heather had gone to elementary school together. They were buddies since our families had moved into the neighborhood 17 years ago.  In early April, 2008, Natalie heard about Heather's possible cancer and had asked our family to join the Relay for Life walk; just come and be with the people. We said yes as we knew Heather more than likely had cancer and we wanted to be part of the event. Earlier in the week, Natalie had given us all shirts to wear. Survivors wear purple shirts and support wear white. Heather was admitted to Banner Baywood the Thursday before the Saturday walk, proudly wearing her purple survivor Relay for Life shirt.

 When Heather was finished with treatments and was in remission, Natalie had asked Heather if she would be a speaker for the Relay for Life 2009. Heather said yes. We were all planning on attending this event as proud survivors. For the 2nd year in a row, Heather would be in Banner Baywood Hospital in serious condition. We had hoped that she would be out in time to at least attend the event. This was not to be as Heather would be in ICU on a vent when the actual event took place. Natalie brought Heather her 2nd purple survivor t shirt for the event the day she was placed in ICU. We were all in shock as we were admitted to ICU. Natalie came right up and pulled her chair next to the bed and held Heather's hand. 

Candle table for walkers to get their candles

This next year Are U Pink? will have an official team be part of the Relay for Life event. This is not the best time of year as it falls so close to all the dates that changed our lives forever. However, I feel that this is so much more a part of Heather than the Light The Night event. I just cannot do that event for a while I want to focus my energy into Relay for Life. I am hoping that I can be used as a staff member or volunteer this next year. Heather would be and will be right next to me cheering me on every step of the way.