Relay For Life by Sarah Pennington, Firefighter and Team Captain
It began thirty-four years ago with one man, one mission, and one astonishing passion to eliminate a devastating disease…cancer. In 1985 Dr. Gordy Klatt a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, set out to raise money for the American Cancer Society by running and walking around a track for 24 hours. This twenty-four hour one-man marathon ultimately raised $27,000 and began what is now the single largest activity of the American Cancer Society. IT IS the worlds largest movement, IT IS a life changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer; remember loved ones lost to the disease, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. IT IS Relay For Life!
Relay For Life is an overnight experience where teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team consists of 8 to 15 people and is represented by a team captain. You must have one team member on the track at all times during the 24-hour event. This symbolizes that cancer never sleeps, thus, neither will we. Each team must also raise funds prior to the event and at the event as well. The funds raised through Relay For Life allows the American Cancer Society to work with communities like ours to eliminate cancer as a major health concern through…research, education, advocacy, and service.
Relay For Life of Tuolumne County will take place May 22nd – 23rd, 2010 at Sonora High School. The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m. with a celebratory Survivors Lap. The first lap is done by survivors of cancer because they are the main reason why we Relay, they represent the nearly 11 million cancer survivors who are alive in the United States today and it is through their courage and strength that we see the great strides being taken in the fight against cancer. Survivors are proof that cancer can be defeated. Also celebrated are the many Caregivers who have provided countless hours of dedicated care and support.
Amongst the many teams that will come together on this special day will be the team that represents Groveland, The Groveland Fire Department. The Groveland Fire Department has formed a team and will Relay in May. The team consists of 16 firefighters who have made the undeniable decision to take part in this crusade by making it their personal opportunity to fight back against cancer by raising funds for the fight and raise awareness of a disease that is everywhere.
The Groveland Fire Departments Reason to Relay:
When we really think about it, cancer is a lot like fire. It starts with a single flame and if not detected early can spread into an uncontrollable inferno. It doesn’t sleep, does not sympathize, and can destroy everything within its path. But, when preventative measures are taken it can sometimes be avoided all together or detected and suppressed early before it rages out of control. It’s painful to imagine that millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer this year; it’s shocking to discover that numerous studies have proven the risk of being diagnosed with cancer is even higher among firefighters than the general population because of the exposure to chemical residues. Whether it’s a family member, friend, co-worker, or you that is diagnosed, lives are painfully affected and forever changed by this devastating disease. Our goal is to fight today so our children, our peers, and those before us may never have to hear those heart-wrenching words, “you have cancer.” By taking part in Relay, we hope to help the American Cancer Society save lives and extinguish the flames by:
-Helping people stay well by helping them take steps to prevent cancer or detect it early, when it’s most treatable.
-Helping people get well by being in their corner around the clock to guide them through every step of their cancer experience.
-Finding cures by funding groundbreaking research that helps us understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it and discover new ways to cure it
-Fighting back by working with lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and rallying communities worldwide to join the fight
As firefighters, helping people is our nature, our way of life, and above all, our honor. As participants in the Relay For Life, these things stand strong. We hope that you will support our efforts because together, we have the power to make the difference.
If you would like to make a donation to support the American Cancer Society and the Groveland Fire Department Relay For Life team you may do so by: visiting our website www.GrovelandFire.com and click on the Relay For Life link, visit our booth at the Groveland Craft Faire on November 27th & 28th at the Groveland Community Hall, make a donation at the station (18930 Hwy 120), Stop by the station and purchase a luminaria bag for $10. These bags are for remembering and honoring those who have been touched by cancer. You can purchase a luminaria bag either “in honor” for someone who has survived cancer or “in memory” for someone who has lost their life to the disease. You then personalize the bag with your loved one’s name and decorate it how you choose. The bags are collected and become part of a ceremony that takes place at Relay. During the ceremony, the luminaria bags are placed around the track with glowing candles inside them and will light the path for those walking through the night. The luminaria ceremony begins at 9 p.m. on May 22nd and is one of the most inspirational moments at Relay.
Please make a donation and help us create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
In 2009 140,815 California residents/420 Tuolumne County residents will have to hear “you have cancer.” Life is not easy for cancer patients or the family and friends who stand by their side. The American Cancer Society understands this and is therefore a place to turn for help. No matter where you are in your cancer journey, they offer free programs and services to help you through every step of the way. The American Cancer Society can be reached anytime, day or night at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
“Let the good of who you are reflect off of everyone you meet. Let the positive attitude and hope of your dreams illuminate the darkness and ease the burden of someone else.” Anonymous
ONE DAY. ONE NIGHT. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE FIGHT.
Let’s get ready to relay!
