Long accound of my first Relay for Life Re: OT Relay for Life

My younger daughter formed a team the year I had surgery and radiation for
endometrial cancer. This is something I wrote in another newsgroup right
after the walk. Last year was the first in 5 that I did not walk in the
survivors lap. I will walk this year if at all possible. When I wrote
this, Tylr was 6, Justyn 4, and Hana 2. After the second year, our team
lost our sponsorship.

Where do I begin...... It was an awesome experience...... healing,
humbling, and very emotional. More so than I thought it would be. The
relay lasts for 24 hours...... a member from each team is to be on the track
at all times...... for our team that meant 2 hours of walking. When I
started my first 30 minute stint, I started like it was any afternoon walk I
might take...... but suddenly it was very different. I looked at the
different tents and sites set up on the track infield (this was held at the
U of Oregon track) and reality hit me..... there were over 1000 people
walking, running, jogging to help find a cure for cancer..... and I was the
recipient of such research. As I continued to walk the track, Tylr and
Justyn joined me and my mind went back to the time of tests, surgery, and
radiation. That journey like this, I was on my own..... taking one step at
a time. I had family and friends beside me, but no one could make this
journey for me. In that first 30 minutes, I walked 2 miles.... most of it
in contemplative silence.....and wiping away an occasional tear. And in
prayerful thanksgiving as I saw pictures of young and old who were not as
lucky as I. In the evening there was a Survivors ceremony and
lap.....Survivors were given navy blue shirts..... After some encouraging
talks, all survivors went out on the track and supporters and family stood
on the side..... following the color guard, we started a lap with onlookers
applauding us for our winning battle---many are still battling---the tears
flowed freely. A woman in her 60s side stepped to walk next to me and we
"compared notes"....she had a mastectomy 4 years ago....and talked of how
family could be there but we alone had made the walk to cure and shed a tear
or two for those that passed.... especially the children who were pictured
on luminaries now being placed around the track. As the sun set, the
luminaries were lit...... thousands of white sacks with names, pictures, etc
of people who bravely fought against this dreaded disease...... very
humbling indeed. As the darkness closed in, the music was turned down and
people clustered in small groups in the tent area to visit. Walkers visited
and encouraged each other as the night wore on..... at 3 a.m. I gave in and
curled up with a blanket in the tent and slept for a few hours. The new day
came with clouds and a light rain for a few minutes...... and the walking
continued. At 11:30 our team/family that was still there, walked together.
Tylr, Justyn and Hana in her stroller included. A friend/co-worker of
Maria's on the team was joined by her mother and another by her children.

Thanks for reading this.

--
Mary
http://community.webshots.com/user/mardor1948
"Pat in Virginia" <pat.quilts@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:PXFig.221224$5Z.163702@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
OT. Last night I participated in local Relay for Life, the major
fundraiser for American Cancer Society. It was the first time I've done
that, but not the last. I was inspired and moved when the Survivors took
their laps. At least one is a member of my quilt guild who had shown her
Hug Quilt (from her Bee) at the Guild meeting that morning. The Relay
raised lots of money, and health awareness.
Anyhow, while I did my laps, I kept in mind all my friends and
acquaintances who have had to face cancer. Of course, I remembered RCTQ
quilters and their families. Please take good care of your selves, get
your necessary exams, do your self exams, live smart. Hugs, PAT in VA/USA



.

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