The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, 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 is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.
What I love most about this event – is that it is people-friendly. It doesn’t require any great feats of strength to participate. You can walk, sit and cheer, or ride in a wheelchair around the track… no one judges. They are all there for one reason – most would say it’s to raise money, to raise awareness, or to remember those that we’ve lost the past year… but for me, personally… that reason is to raise hope. Hope that each step brings us one step closer to a cure.
My family and I have participated in our local Relay for Life the past couple of years as part of team Parrothead. Through mutual interests and connections our charity (WestRash Charities) met up with Kim Downen who is the team leader for the Relay for life team Parrot Heads. We lucked in on her not only being an amazing person but also a huge Jimmy Buffett fan. Anyone who know my family – knows we love a nice day at the pool with a margarita and Buffett playing on the sound system.
My brother, his wife, Kim, my husband and I at Buffett in 2010
Here are some photos from this year’s Relay for Life event held in Prince William County, VA:
I got my relay shirt, lets walk!     Running sounds even better…
My Family (WestRash Charities) ready for a good walk for a great cause. My brother (in yellow) is a cancer survivor!!
Family photo op with Kim (in yellow):
All that walking requires a quick break and a yummy snack!
And the reason we walk… so that my brother, my son, and others… can wear these SURVIVOR shirts.