The time for Relay For Life is really behind us since they are usually done in the Spring. These photos are from April 2009. I was very active with the American Cancer Society for eight or nine years, seven of them as a Team Captain for Relay For Life. Our team was called "Jeremiah's Friends" after the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11....
"For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Our mascot was Jeremiah the Bullfrog (Three Dog Night), and also because FROG stands for Fully Rely On God.
Relay is lots of fun, lots of hard work (raising money & preparing to camp) and it is also tough emotionally. We stay awake all night and someone from the team has to be walking on the track at all times...cancer doesn't sleep and we won't either during Relay.
The Survivors do the first lap of the event, then the caregivers join in, and after that, the teams keep someone on the track for the entire 12-16 hours (depending on your Relay). It usually begins around 4:00 on a Friday or Saturday and ends around 9:00 the next morning.
I don't participate anymore and our team went away a year after I quit as team captain (seven years was enough and my knees hurt too much). It was sad, but I just couldn't do it anymore and no one else wanted to take over. Sigh. Recently I was asked to revive the team, which is probably why I'm thinking about it....but I can't do it.
When the sun goes down, we have a luminary lap around the track. Participants can purchase a luminary bag and decorate it with a loved one's name. They are placed completely around the track and the candles are lighted as team members walk the track in silence. Lots of tears are shed during this lap. I'm tearing up now, just remembering the emotion. In 2009, we still hadn't lost a couple of the folks on our bags. These pictures are ones that Joe and I did for our loved ones.
Cousin Tom was still fighting but lost the battle.
Dear friend and coworker, Judy Barger was still fighting but lost the battle.
Cousin Bob won his fight!
My BFF Karen has won two or three fights!!
Joe's first wife and the mother of our boys lost her battle.
My dad lost his battle.
My grandpa lost his battle.
I'm a survivor, Praise God!
My sweet mom lost her fight.
My dear brother lost his fight.
Here they are ready for sundown.
Blurry, but with the candles. It is so beautiful seeing the entire track lighted.
Our Relay was at Lakeland High School on the football field and track.
Our Relay was at Lakeland High School on the football field and track.
(Sorry for the glare.)
We did well with our fundraising that year!
If I remember correctly, it was just under $8,000.
If you have never participated, look one up in your area. All cities, big and small, do this and you can just go and walk a couple of laps and say some prayers as you go. Maybe you'll be moved to start a team or join one. Jeremiah's Friends was mostly my friends from church. Cancer has touched us all. Pray for a cure!!
Thanks for stopping by! Peace & hugs.
Such a great event for such a worthy cause. You were a great leader then, and still are. So thankful you are a 'survivor'. Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteI love Relay for Life. My cousins in Chatsworth participate in memory of my cousin, Pam. I did not realize what a commitment it was Terri. And I love your team name and mascot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Terri...thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome that you did that. I love the team name too.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
That's always so moving to see all the luminaries lit up around the track.
ReplyDeleteWe did this one time & had to evacuate with a storm coming in. It was HORRIBLE packing up in storms so quickly.
What a sweet way to memorialize our loved ones, both with Christ and still in this veil of tears. So sorry to hear that so many in y'alls family have been touched by this devastating disease. Prayers for comfort. My right knee is too wounded for such also. I pray that others can take over the torch and carry on the fight. Faulty hearts and blood sugar runs in my family. Guess that will be my ticket to Paradise (if you know what I mean).
ReplyDeleteHope your day is blessed. Y'all stay safe. ~:)
Goodness, I'm tearing up just reading this!
ReplyDeleteBefore being 'taken over' by the Big Corporation, our organization (in conjunction with the ACS) would provide complimentary room nights for cancer patients and their caregivers ... who might otherwise forego therapies because the costs of travel and lodging were prohibitive. I wish we were still able to do so; the people we met were all wonderful, and one family in particular became dear friends.
Thank you for detailing what the Relay is all about! I've heard of it, sure, but haven't participated.
I miss Relay for Life. When I worked at school, many years ago, we had a team, too. Our youngest son participated on the bank's (for which he worked) team, as well. After a few years, they stopped having Relay for Life, and switched to CARES. I enjoyed your post about your experiences. It brought back lots of memories.
ReplyDeleteKathy (Reflections)
Oh, this touched my heart for so many reasons. Loved the name of your team. What a wonderful charity to be a part of. It's sad nobody wanted to carry on, but that's how it often goes. It's also sad to think of those who lost their battle, but I'm so glad you're a survivor, sweet Lady.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! It's takes a special person to give so much of their time to such a great cause. I was touched to see you're a survivor!!
ReplyDelete