Thanks to American Cancer Society

karbear
karbear Member Posts: 163
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I attended our local "Relay for Life" tonight and I can't express how thankful I am for the communities and ACS for all that they do. Its amazing to see how many caring people there are and how supportive they all were. As I took my Survivor Lap ,complete strangers lined the track cheering us all on. Its the best feeling in the world,I can't really describe it. It does make me feel like I should feel proud of myself and how strong I was fighting this fight ! Along with so many others. Sometimes I get saddened to hear all the bad news everyday in the world but then times like this just make me realize there still is alot of good people in the world . Just wanted to thank all those who support the ACS and volunteer their time to make it such a special night for many of us. It means the world to me. God Bless .

Comments

  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #2
    AWWWWW....Bless Your Heart! I did my first Relay 6 weeks post surgery, and this year I will be in my 6th...I have never gotten over the intense spirit and feeling I have by being there. The Survivors Lap is truly awe-inspiring isn't it? My local Relay released hundreds of White Doves to open the ceremonies a few years ago!

    The Luminarias are without a doubt my favorite feature, though. I invite all friends, family and co workers who can't stay for the entire event to come after dark, and see where their money and support is truly going~ a never to be forgotten experience....

    I am so glad you went to a Relay~ each year will be even sweeter than this one!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    I remember my first Survivor's Lap....4 days after discharge from my bowel resection...in a wheelchair, no less!! It was amazing...

    But, my big one was in Washington with Celebration on the Hill...thousands of survivors walking...and then that night the luminaria...WOW!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Cindy54
    Cindy54 Member Posts: 452
    #4
    In years past I would donate to this cause. I thought it was just the best. I used to go by and see all the tents and for the lighting of the luminaries. I did the luminaries...first for my Dad, for lung cancer. Then for my Mom, for ovarian. This year I will proudly be there and do the survivor lap. And I will feel in awe of so many who have survived so much more than I. But I will proudly link arms with them and give them my best smile. Hugs to you, Cindy
  • straussu
    straussu Member Posts: 22
    #5
    I too love the Relay for Life. I will be participating in my third one this year on May 31. During the first one, I was a team member. The 2 years since I have been a team captain. It is like a huge group hug to take that survivor lap and feel all the love and support around you. I find the experience to be very cathartic. Interestingly, I was a thyroid cancer survivor for my first relay. 6 months after Relay, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I was a 2-time survivor at my 2nd Relay. Now it looks like I'm having a recurrence of the thyroid cancer, so I'll be a 3-time cancer survivor at the 3rd Relay!!!!! I agree with you - I am truly thankful to be able to participate in the Relay for Life!
  • LindaR48
    LindaR48 Member Posts: 26
    #6
    My first Relay for Life was on May 2. I agree with you that the experience was uplifting. All I saw was alot of love and caring. The survivors lap was awsome. The number of luminarias glowing all night was impressive but all the people making sure they stayed lit also touched me. We had some wind and there was sombody watching the luminarias all night trying to prevent them from catching on fire. In the morning we only lost ten to fifteen to the wind. I also did the survivor's lap in another nearby town Friday May 16 because it was my one year anniversary of the start of my cancer journey. Why I didn't participate in anything other than survivor lap in the second Relay is a long story but it boiled down to alot of communication problems. I plan on helping resolve those problems by being more active in the organization and planning stage of the second relay next year. Everyboddy with cancer should experience a Relay For Life.
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    #7
    My family has been involved with our local Relay for Life for 7 years, first team members, then my oldest daughter became team captain, we became sponsors and 5 yrs ago I becamee committe member. All these years we felt the emotions, cried during lumminaria and cheered during the survivors lap but my family and I had no clue as to what "Fightback" really meant until this year when I was diagonosed with BC. This September, I will proudly walk as a survivor and a special lumminaria will be lit for all survivors and for my new friends at this site. I truly thank you for all your support.

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