Relay for Life has 5000 events in the U.S. Since I hadn't attended an event before I did not know what to expect. This time I went by myself so that I could meet new friends.
The event was held at Ironwood High School surrounding their ¼ mile track. About 3,000 people were in attendance with close to 30 cancer survivors (including ME!). There were many booths around the track selling baked goods, jewelry, and t-shirts. I believe the event raised close to $110,000.
During the opening ceremonies they had two doctors speak. They also honored a 16 yr old, Saulo Morris, who went to Thunderbird High School and was in the band who was diagnosed with AML leukemia in 2007 and who died in 2008. There were many kids from THS that were there to honor him. He touched many people lives and to celebrate him they let balloons go. THS raised $20,000 for the National Bone Marrow Registry Fund.
Next all of the survivors walked around the track with our purple t-shirts with metal of “Hope” to wear around our neck. As I approached the track, I looked around and there were people everywhere at the sidelines clapping for each one of us as we walked around the track.
Next all of the survivors walked around the track with our purple t-shirts with metal of “Hope” to wear around our neck. As I approached the track, I looked around and there were people everywhere at the sidelines clapping for each one of us as we walked around the track.It was very moving and I will have to admit I shed some tears. Just to look around and see that I was one that had made it. I said “Victory” in the name of Jesus!
The candle lighting ceremony later that evening was very moving and one I will not forget. They first turned out all the lights and lit 3 candles, and then each one was given a candle to light someone else's candle. Many were there to honor a love one who died of cancer, a family member who had fought the good fight or a good friend that they had loss. There was complete silence when lighting the candles and then everyone began to walk around the track. In the bleachers they had luminaries lit to spell “Hope” and luminaries all around the track with a love
one's name on the bag. To see all the thousands of lights around the track was so beautiful. It was a special evening!
The candle lighting ceremony later that evening was very moving and one I will not forget. They first turned out all the lights and lit 3 candles, and then each one was given a candle to light someone else's candle. Many were there to honor a love one who died of cancer, a family member who had fought the good fight or a good friend that they had loss. There was complete silence when lighting the candles and then everyone began to walk around the track. In the bleachers they had luminaries lit to spell “Hope” and luminaries all around the track with a love
one's name on the bag. To see all the thousands of lights around the track was so beautiful. It was a special evening!
...................................I am a SURVIVOR!.....................................Love, Sharon
1 comment:
That's awesome what they did for the THS classmate. It's even more awesome that your doing so well. I am sure your doing a little dance and jumping up and down. Let's make plans to see each other soon. Love Steph
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