Relay For Life 2013

I really wanted to get this posted long before now, but you know how time creeps up on you. In light of that, you might see multiple posts for today.

Bethlehem held its Relay For Life this year on June 8th and 9th. In case you’re not familiar with Relay, it is a 24 hour fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. It’s a great cause, and a lot of fun. I am on the committee…it’s my way of paying it forward. The American Cancer Society was there for me in quite a few ways during my battle: not just with the free wig I received during chemotherapy, but also with the emotional support of other survivors on their forums.

This year had a new addition: a dove release ceremony.

 

Sierra’s team, Freedom High School Theatre Co, chipped in to sponsor a dove, which Sierra released. It was VERY emotional for everyone involved.

Hopefully more pictures are being uploaded to our relay site: http://www.relayforlife.org/pabethlehem

Even if you cannot participate in Bethlehem’s Relay next year, consider finding a local Relay closer to you. They are everywhere.

Cancer has touched everyone. I am a survivor, but cancer touched my life long before that. I lost my grandfather to lung cancer when I was just 5. My grandmother lost her battle to lung cancer (never a smoker!) just a few short years before my diagnosis. While I was fighting my own battle, my mother-in-law lost hers to pancreatic cancer. We need to get to the point where EVERYONE is a survivor, and that no one else loses the battle.