Please excuse me for my absence lately; I’ve been slightly busy helping the American Cancer Society raise $43,836.87. That’s right, I said $43,836.87 (you can’t tell, but my smile reaches from ear to ear).
The twelfth annual Relay for Life at Lebanon Valley College began on Friday, March 23rd at 4:00 p.m. and continued through Saturday, March 24th at 4:00 a.m. The event, while nothing new to the campus, was a goal bursting experience to say the least. A record breaking total of 64 teams arrived in the Arnold Sports Center to help fight back against cancer. Those 600 participants filled the gym to show their support, share their stories, and take a stand against the disease and all of its destruction—as well as celebrate in its failed attempts to steal away a part of our lives. And in the end, those twelve hours made a difference.
While we cannot necessarily see the effects of our hard work right this minute, I am positive it will not go unnoticed. If you weren’t at LVC’s Relay for Life “Wish Upon a Cure” you definitely missed out on a life changing experience. Whether it was the rap sung by a fighter’s mom, the speech given by LVC alum, Amanda Musser, who had just had breast cancer surgery 3 days prior, or just the fact that there was a “huge wall of purple” –group of survivors— sitting in the middle of the gym; the sense of community and hope has never been stronger inside of those walls.
My favorite part of the twelve hour journey known as Relay for Life has always been the Luminaria Ceremony, and this year did not disappoint; although, it was slightly different than any before. This year, instead of standing with my family and friends around the track honoring those who have battled the disease, I was on stage. As the words, “If you are here for your mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, uncle, aunt, spouse, family member, friend, anyone else” stumbled out of my mouth, I grew more as a person than ever before. Actually seeing each individual luminaria glow with light after every title was called is an experience I will never forget. For the first time in a long time, I remembered that each person that receives that diagnosis is not just another number—they are a person. A person with a family, best friend, dreams, anticipated years ahead of them that were likely taken for granted by all. I was honored to be able to personally give each person their recognition.
Today I’ll admit, my feet are still a little sore and my legs are pretty stiff—but who am I to complain? Every day millions of patients across the world are enduring treatments, surgeries, and procedures that inflict far more pain on their body than my twelve hours on my feet. I think it was the reminder I needed—cancer never sleeps, and in order to fight back, sometimes, neither can we.
The twelfth annual Relay for Life at Lebanon Valley College began on Friday, March 23rd at 4:00 p.m. and continued through Saturday, March 24th at 4:00 a.m. The event, while nothing new to the campus, was a goal bursting experience to say the least. A record breaking total of 64 teams arrived in the Arnold Sports Center to help fight back against cancer. Those 600 participants filled the gym to show their support, share their stories, and take a stand against the disease and all of its destruction—as well as celebrate in its failed attempts to steal away a part of our lives. And in the end, those twelve hours made a difference.
While we cannot necessarily see the effects of our hard work right this minute, I am positive it will not go unnoticed. If you weren’t at LVC’s Relay for Life “Wish Upon a Cure” you definitely missed out on a life changing experience. Whether it was the rap sung by a fighter’s mom, the speech given by LVC alum, Amanda Musser, who had just had breast cancer surgery 3 days prior, or just the fact that there was a “huge wall of purple” –group of survivors— sitting in the middle of the gym; the sense of community and hope has never been stronger inside of those walls.
My favorite part of the twelve hour journey known as Relay for Life has always been the Luminaria Ceremony, and this year did not disappoint; although, it was slightly different than any before. This year, instead of standing with my family and friends around the track honoring those who have battled the disease, I was on stage. As the words, “If you are here for your mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, uncle, aunt, spouse, family member, friend, anyone else” stumbled out of my mouth, I grew more as a person than ever before. Actually seeing each individual luminaria glow with light after every title was called is an experience I will never forget. For the first time in a long time, I remembered that each person that receives that diagnosis is not just another number—they are a person. A person with a family, best friend, dreams, anticipated years ahead of them that were likely taken for granted by all. I was honored to be able to personally give each person their recognition.
Today I’ll admit, my feet are still a little sore and my legs are pretty stiff—but who am I to complain? Every day millions of patients across the world are enduring treatments, surgeries, and procedures that inflict far more pain on their body than my twelve hours on my feet. I think it was the reminder I needed—cancer never sleeps, and in order to fight back, sometimes, neither can we.
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