Relay for Life

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/cpayne422

In 2009 one of my best and oldest friends asked me to join a team as part of this Relay for Life, something at that point I had never heard of.  I of course said yes without really looking into what it was and am eternally grateful I did.  The Relay for Life is NOT a race and as misleading as it comes across it's not even a relay.  The Relay for Life is a chance for people, friends, and family to come together for a good cause and have fun getting to know each other while raising awareness towards fighting a disease that has impacted each and every one of us in some way.

So what is it?  The Relay for Life is the main volunteer-driven fundraiser of the American Cancer Society.  It is an event held world-wide throughout the year in communities, college campuses, military bases and of course online!  Although the main point of the Relay for Life is to raise money for cancer research and patients it is also a time for people to come together to honor those who have fought with cancer; celebrating those who have won, remembering those who have lost, and coming together to raise awareness in a fight against it.

This is a 24-hour event where each team sets up around a local track and throughout the day/night at least one participant from each team needs to represent their team by walking around the track.  The time you walk is determined by your team and you can walk as long/short as you'd like but the point is to have someone from your team on the track at all times.  The downtime off the track is spent playing games such as dodgeball, wiffleball, volleyball, or whatever else your team or the planning committee has planned.  This time is also spent trying to fund raise by selling baked goods, coffee, or whatever else your team decides to sell.  It is a great chance to make friends or get to know your current friends that much better.

Why do I relay?  My family has been effected in a few different ways with both my grandmothers being cancer survivors but unfortunately losing my aunt to cancer on March 27th, 2004.  I also have friends that have either had cancer or have lost family members to the disease.  I feel that it is important for all of us to come together for such a great cause so two years ago when my buddy Rick asked me to be part of Angie's Family Ties, a team honoring his brother I couldn't say no.

I am now living in California and unfortunately will not be able to fly back for the Relay for Life this year.  I am instead starting up my own team, West Coast Family Ties here in Monterey in hopes of starting up my own annual tradition.  I'm the team captain and may also be on the planning committee but right now I only have one team member (thanks Susan!)  I'm hoping I can find some other teammates before the relay begins on May 1st.  If you live in the area (or even the SF area) and would like to join us please let me know or just sign up on my webpage:

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/cpayne422


If you cannot be a part of the team but would like to make a donation you can also do that on the webpage.  Thanks everyone for your support.  I love and miss you all!