Relay for Life

Last night I went to the Seminole Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It was held at Osceola High School, and was one of 12 Relays in the area last night, 4 of which were in Pinellas County. It started at 6:00 pm and went all night, concluding around 9:00 am in the morning. Team members walked the track at the high school all night. Each team was supposed to have at least one team member on the track at all times. The moon was 3 days from being full, and the night was clear and cool. There were people everywhere, they'd been walking since the start of the event. At the center of the field, a man in a jesters cap hosted a hoola-hoop contest to see who could keep the ring going the longest. Tables along the inside of the track sold everything from cyalume necklaces and flashing pins to muffins and massages, all proceeds to go to ACS. The atmosphere was like a carnival.

At 9:00 pm the Luminaria Ceremony took place. All around the track people had placed white paper bags with tea lights in them. The field's lights were turned out and the luminarias lit. Each luminaria was dedicated to a survivor, or to the memory of one who did not survive. Participants were invited to light their own candles first, starting with survivors and those currently battling the disease. Then family members, then friends we're invited to light their candles. It quickly devolved into respectful chaos, with people lighting their own candles, then helping friends and strangers until all candles were lit.

It was then that I noticed that on the track behind me, everyone was walking, slowly, introspectively, respectfully around the track. People quietly talked about those they had known, some who had survived, other that had not, others only newly diagnosed. As we walked, we passed a large group standing along the track gathered in silent memory. "That's for Emily." Emily? She was the captain of the Chemo Crew. Emily had battled cancer three times since 2001. She'd been a participant in the Relay for the last 7 years. Chemo Crew was the largest group in the Relay. She attended Osceola High School. Emily died two weeks before this Relay. Her team raised over $17,000 before the event. It was a moving tribute.

The candle lighting was very moving. Eventually the lights came back on, and the events started again. At each team's camp site the selling nicknacks, snack or drinks returned, having been suspended for the Luminara Ceremony. The buzz of activity returned. The DJ organized a tug of war at the center of the field. Walkers passed by on their appointed laps. I'm glad I went, and while I got there late and didn't stay long, I will go to another one some day. I met up with friends who had formed a team, I cheered them on, and walked with them while I was there. We are our own support group. We all met on line, we often meet for lunch. Our group, sadly, will keep growing. New members are always welcomed with the wish that they, like us, didn't need one another so much, and all the while wishing that one day, our group will cease to expand and be needed no more. Until then, for ourselves, and those who no longer can, we will walk...