We relayed in honor of those who are fighting and surviving cancer and in memory of those we've lost.
This year we relayed proudly for our friend, Susan, and for my dad who has fought cancer twice and continues to survive and thrive.
We also relayed for many members of Lara's family.
Setup began Saturday at noon and while stifling hot... at least it wasn't raining!
By 5:00 Lara's family arrived and we finished the final decorations on Team WhyMommy Central and opened up our bake sale for business!
Welcome to Team WhyMommy Central!
Opening ceremonies began at 7:00 and as is customary with every Relay For Life the first lap is dedicated to cancer survivors and their caretakers.
Upon completion of the survivor's lap the fun began with a different theme for every half hour. Some teams picked a theme for their team and really played it up. My personal favorite group of the night was Gail's Gang that decked themselves out in a 1980s Prom Theme and offered costumes and a great backdrop for anyone wanting their own "prom" photo!
Gail's Gang and their awesome 80s Prom Theme
The great thing about the Relay For Life is that there is something for everyone, even the kids have activities, face painting, and moon bounces galore! All night long there were families relaying together. Young children with their parents or grandparents, babies being pushed in their strollers, and some were lucky enough to be carried on the necks of their parents!
The DiPaola kids were too cute for words!
At 9:00 the Relay For Life took a reflective pause to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer. A bagpiper in full regalia was on site and played a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace. All around us the darkness was highlighted by the glow of luminaries and the real message of Relay...HOPE!
All night long the fun continued with more themed laps, zumba dancing at 10:00, and bingo at 2:00 am. All during the night I saw some slumbering, more walking, and even a few brave souls running the track.
My pals over at Gail's Gang were back for the Pajama laps which took place around 1:00 in the morning.
These 2 ladies were rockin the Elmo and Sock Monkey PJs!
The event was both amazing and exhausting all rolled into one.
But, I think that is the point.
For one night a year we push our bodies and our minds past the point of pain and exhaustion. We forgo sleep and the comfort of our bed at home and we force ourselves to keep moving, albeit slower, towards the light of dawn and a new day.
It occurs to me that my 1 night of sleep deprivation and painful blisters on my feet are a drop in the bucket compared to what a cancer patient and their caregivers undergo on a daily basis with the many surgeries, radiation and chemo treatments.
I cannot fathom the emotional toll they and their families must endure.
For many cancer patients the goal may be simply making it through one more day. Every day. Until the day comes they are told the cancer is in remission and they can slowly pick up their lives that were abruptly put on hold.
For others the light of dawn may be their first steps upon the streets of heaven when the cancer they fought was too large for their bodies to survive.
We relay most especially for those who's families are left to carry on without their loved ones. For those who have paid the ultimate price.
We relay in hopes that no other family will have to endure the loss of a child, a spouse, or a parent.
And until the day comes that our children or our grand-children see the word "CANCER" in a textbook and they ask their teacher what that word means...
We will Relay to make that happen.
But, I think that is the point.
For one night a year we push our bodies and our minds past the point of pain and exhaustion. We forgo sleep and the comfort of our bed at home and we force ourselves to keep moving, albeit slower, towards the light of dawn and a new day.
It occurs to me that my 1 night of sleep deprivation and painful blisters on my feet are a drop in the bucket compared to what a cancer patient and their caregivers undergo on a daily basis with the many surgeries, radiation and chemo treatments.
I cannot fathom the emotional toll they and their families must endure.
For many cancer patients the goal may be simply making it through one more day. Every day. Until the day comes they are told the cancer is in remission and they can slowly pick up their lives that were abruptly put on hold.
For others the light of dawn may be their first steps upon the streets of heaven when the cancer they fought was too large for their bodies to survive.
We relay most especially for those who's families are left to carry on without their loved ones. For those who have paid the ultimate price.
We relay in hopes that no other family will have to endure the loss of a child, a spouse, or a parent.
And until the day comes that our children or our grand-children see the word "CANCER" in a textbook and they ask their teacher what that word means...
We will Relay to make that happen.
