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What is Relay For Life?“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Relay for Life has three key components:
The night of Relay for Life, luminarias line and light the quad. It is an incredible sight to see that so many have been affected by cancer. Each luminaria has a name written on it and celebrates the life of someone affected by cancer. We honor those who have survived their fight with cancer as well as those who are still fighting. We remember those who have succumbed to the disease. The luminaria ceremony to light the candles bring tears of sadness and tears of joy. The word “Hope is spelled out luminaria, and it is what we offer to everyone affected by a disease. Hope. Relay for Life also supports all those affected by cancer. Survivors come out for the night to celebrate life with everyone else and support others fighting the battle. Every team camps out over night on the quad and has at least one person walking around the quad at all times during the event. The story behind Relay: we start during the day when everyone is healthy. At dusk – diagnosis: you hear the words, “You have cancer.” As the night continues, the battle worsens and it may seem that hope is fading. As dawn approaches, the worst is over. You are winning the battle. At sunrise, you have won. You are a survivor.” Relayers show their support by lighting luminaria to light the way in the darkness, and they walking through the night to show that no one has to fight alone. We will walk with them. Eradicating cancer comes with a price. We raise funds for research, advocacy, education and support programs, and education. A lot of the money raised comes right back here to Johns Hopkins where it gets used in groundbreaking research towards finding a way to eliminate cancer. To create change, the change has to be community, state, nation, and global wide. We work with politicians and influential people to create that change. Education also plays into creating change. People are more able to avoid getting cancer, help those who may need it, and know what resources exist if they are educated about the facts. Many of those affected by cancer do not have the resources or support needed to successfully fight. Through programs like Camp Sunshine and Hope Lodge, those people get the help they need and deserve. One of the most important features of Relay is, of course, FUN. Yes, there are some tears but there are more laughs. Relay is about celebrating life so while there are tender moments, most of Relay is about… well … celebrating! It’s a big kicking-cancer’s-butt party! Want to know how YOU can join the phenomenon? Click on Sign Up NOW!!! |