Why We Relay

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by cancer – directly or indirectly.  I just finished dedicating my luminaria for this year’s San Carlos Relay for Life (August 3 and 4th in Burton Park).    I’ve lost way too many family members and friends to cancer, and that’s why I am a volunteer for this year’s event.

To catch you up, on Saturday evening, after the sun goes down, votive candles (or glo-lights) are lit inside of personalized paper bags (i.e. luminaria)  to shine a light on the fight against cancer.  The power of the Luminaria ceremony lies in providing a tangible remembrance of those we’ve lost to cancer, and to light some hope that we will see an end to cancer in our lifetime.  Participating in the luminaria ceremony is an experience you will never forget.

But’s it’s not all somber ceremonies and remembrance.  It’s also great fun!  Games, (for kids and grown-ups) music, campouts, facepainting, pizza and ice cream! Join us the first weekend in August for this year’s event.   Even better, gather a bunch of friends, family or colleagues and form a team.   

As a bonus, we’re raising money for the American Cancer Society to fund research and provide services right in our own community:

·         Research – The American Cancer Society has invested more than any other nongovernmental not for profit organization in the US to find the causes of and cures for cancer.

·         Road to Recovery-Organizes volunteers to provide transportation to cancer patients to get to their cancer treatments and then back home again.

·         Services for cancer patients for support and help in dealing with some of the side-affects of treatment, like hair loss, dramatic weight loss, and surgery’s aftermath.

It’s great to pitch in and fight back!  Walk on!