Thankful Thursday - Walking, donating and volunteering for a GREAT cause: The Relay for Life

Thankful Thursday has rolled around again, bringing us one week closer to Christmas, and bringing us to our second featured Thankful Thursday charity: The Relay for Life.

Photo credit to unionvilletimes.com 

I had my first experience with the Relay for Life my senior year in high school. I had joined the Key Club and the Relay was one of their larger fundraising events. Not having any idea what the event was even about, I collected my funds, grabbed my tent and headed to the site to get set up. I wasn’t prepared for the outpouring of support, hope and love that took place that night. The temperature dropped rapidly, but no matter how freezing it got outside, there was always at least one group walking around the track, chattering happily with smiles on their faces. It didn’t matter that they were freezing, it was nothing compared to dealing with having cancer.

At every job I have had since then, I have tried my best to initiate some kind of fundraising or charity work. I feel that there is always time, and always a way, to donate somehow. It doesn’t always mean you need to give a monetary donation. Sometimes just a few hours out of your day spent volunteering your time can make a bigger difference in someone’s life than you could ever imagine.

So, what is the Relay for Life?

Well, quite simply, it is an organized overnight walk where teams of people set up tents around the track and take turns walking around the track throughout the night. The monies raised are given to the American Cancer Society to help fund cancer research and important support programs for those dealing with or recovering from cancer, such as:

The Hope Lodge:

The Hope Lodge offers a comfortable, inviting place for cancer patients and their caregivers to stay if their best option for treatment ends up being in a city far from their home. By removing the stress of having someplace to stay during treatment, patients can focus more on healing and can find solace in a private room or connect with others while at the Lodge. Learn more about the Hope Lodge here.

The Road to Recovery:

While undergoing treatment, patients may have to go to several appointments, but may be unable to drive themselves or may not have their own transportation. The Road to Recovery program connects cancer patients with volunteers who donate their time and use of their cars to bring patients to and from their treatments. Learn more about the Road to Recovery program here.

Look Good...Feel Better:

Look Good...Feel Better is a free, national public service for cancer patients that helps women undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments learn about improving their appearance with hands-on training with makeup, wigs, turbans and scarfs so they will better understand how to manage the appearance side effects of their treatments. What an awesome program helping the women undergoing treatments show their inner beauty on the outside. Learn more about Look Good...Feel Better here.

The Reach to Recovery:

A program that has been helping breast cancer patients, both male and female, cope with their cancer experience for over 40 years, the Reach to Recovery program connects those fighting breast cancer an opportunity to speak with volunteers who can help them cope, manage and understand their diagnosis, options and treatments. All volunteers in the Reach to Recovery program are breast cancer survivors, which offers patients an opportunity to discuss their cancer experience with someone who has gone through it before. Learn more about the Reach to Recovery program here.

 

What happens at the Relay for Life?

The event is kicked off with a Survivors Lap, which allows all the cancer survivors to take the first lap around the track lined with supporters and participants cheering them on.

Later in the evening once it is dark there is a Luminaria Ceremony. Luminarias are available to purchase at the event and are set up all around the track. Each one is dedicated to someone fighting cancer or someone who has lost their battle with cancer and is lit at the beginning of the ceremony. As the participants walk around the track, the names of those people the luminarias are dedicated to are read aloud for all to hear. Possibly the most amazing, touching part of the entire event, the Luminaria Ceremony is the only time the track is quiet, but filled with a tangible sense of hope and memories...hope for those still battling and memories of those who lost their battle.

 

 

              Photo credit to greaterlongbeach.com

 

                                         Photo credit to leusd.ems.schoolfusion.us

 



Once the Luminaria Ceremony is complete, the teams continue to walk around the track, usually in shifts, for the entire night, then pack up when the event is complete in the morning. It is amazing the people you will meet, the stories you will hear, and the hope that will fill every fiber of your being when you leave. Definitely worth every moment spent volunteering, fundraising and even freezing while walking the track.

 

Wanna get involved?? Great!!

You can simply donate to the American Cancer Society by visiting their Donations page, which offers an opportunity to donate to participants, teams and events, dedicate luminarias, donate by cash or check, or set up matching gifts or planned giving.

Want to get in on the Relay instead. You can find an event, team or participant in your area by visit their Find an Event page or, if you would prefer to start your own team, whether through your workplace, school or group of friends, you can visit their Sign Up/Volunteer page and learn how to start a new team, join an existing team and become a committee member or volunteer.

Have your own team but need some awesome fundraising ideas? Visit the Get Fundraising Ideas page and check out fundraising options for your team or event!

The Relay for Life is my favorite charity, but everyone should find a charity that they are passionate about. Every day is a chance to do even better than yesterday, so why not make today the day you find your charity passion and start making a difference? I promise, it will be the best gift you give yourself this holiday season when you see how great you feel by giving back!!

~KG