American Cancer Society Relay for Life

Communities all over the world participate in Relay for Life every spring to bring attention to one of our deadliest diseases, cancer. This is a fun activity while at the same time and educational and an event to bring communities closer together as they spend a twenty-four hour period together.

Because school clubs enjoy participating, these events are usually held at a local high school where everyone camps out for the night. Tents range from small and homemade to very high tech and elaborate. That is up to the individual teams.

The first part of the planning process if you and your friends would like to participate is to choose a team leader. The team leader is in charge if getting walkers or runners. They are also the liaison between your group and the American Cancer Society. A good team leader is essential as you can make or break the event.

During the twenty-four hours, each team must have at least one member on the track either walking or running. The team leader should make out a schedule and get everyone to sign up for track time. All hour slots must be filled. The leader may have to be ready to fill in any slots that are abandoned. A good idea might be to have some alternates.

If a school wishes to be a part of the Relay for Life experience, the team leader should be the club sponsor or a qualified adult. Chaperones are always welcome too.

Relay for Life is also charity event. Teams ask local businesses and community leaders to sponsor them in the twenty-four hour walk. Another good idea is to canvass your friends and neighbors to help in this wonderful cause.

All cancer survivors in the community are certainly invited to come at least for the Opening Ceremonies. These cancer survivors bring hope to the community and show that having cancer doesn’t have to be the end. These joyous survivors are an extremely important part of the event. If they are feeling up to staying for the whole event, they are certainly a blessing to everyone.

Right after sundown, everyone gathers together for the Ceremony of Hope. Hundreds of luminaries are lighted for a beautiful ceremony. The luminaries are candles in sacks filed with sand. On each bag has the name of a cancer victim who did not survive or someone fighting cancer. Loving family and friends purchase the luminaries to honor their family member or in memory of some lost to cancer. Then everyone gets together to remember friends, relatives, or neighbors who have been touched by cancer. This ceremony is certainly a respectful wonderful moment.

Participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. It will become an annual event that you will never want to miss.

Copyright 2007 Janice D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved



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