Why I Participate in Relay For Life: I Want More
At the end of this month, our city will be hosting Chandler Relay For Life at Basha High School. People of all ages will walk a track all night long and raise funds for the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer. Perhaps you are wondering why I choose to give to Chandler Relay For Life?
Why is this my 11th year of staying up all night when a soft bed sounds like a much better idea? Why Do I relay?
I Relay for the 1.7 million people who heard the words "You have cancer" in 2018.*
I Relay for the 15.5 million people who are cancer survivors.*
I Relay because many years ago, other people participated in Relay, raising the fundraising dollars that made a difference in my treatment and care: specifically, the research that recommended mammograms for earlier breast cancer detection and the research that developed estrogen-blocking drugs, thus decreasing my risk of a re-occurrence.
Those are the big-picture reasons I Relay. But I have an inner circle of other reasons. Personal reasons. Important reasons.
I Relay for more brown eyes.
I Relay for more giggles and belly laughter.
I Relay for more white convertible days.
I Relay for more lipstick wearing nights.
I Relay for more Davids who are fighting Goliath.
I Relay for more light in the midst of darkness.
I Relay for more hand holding.
I Relay for more nights on the couch.
I Relay for more birthdays.
I Relay for more weddings.
I Relay for more graduations.
I Relay for more baby holding.
I Relay for more hugs.
I Relay for more plates set around more tables in restaurants, kitchens and dining rooms, of families and friends celebrating ordinary days.
Why do I participate in Relay for Life?
Because cancer comes and says you will be less.
Hopeless. Useless. Defenseless. Meaningless. Nameless.
Lifeless.
I Relay for MORE.
Chandler Relay for Life will be April 27-28. If you would like to donate, walk with my team (even if you cannot stay the entire evening), create a luminaria in honor or in memory of someone who has been touched by cancer, or sign up for your own team, go to this link.
Together, we can be more.
*U.S. statistic. Not sure of worldwide numbers.