Celebrate - Remember - Fight Back

I'm not a fan of live sports events, but this was one I was not going to miss.

Being "sedentarily-challenged", I was determined to do at least one lap. There were hundreds of us in purple Survivor shirts amassed on the track at Lowery Field in Lubbock, Texas, joined by lime-green clad Caregiver and White shirt family and friend supporters for the opening Victory Lap.

Honestly, I was not prepared for feelings of overwhelming support from a community who lined the infield and applauded as we circled the track in celebration of our personal struggle over the second-leading cause of death in the United states. As we walked, clutching the hands of our care-givers, we were reminded of how merciful God had been to us. At the feet of those who clapped for us, were Luminaries that would be lighted that evening, each with name of someone who had succumbed to cancer.

I had heard about the Relay for Life for many years and knew it was the American Cancer Society's main fundraising event designed to unite those affected by cancer, while raising money for the organization's research, education and advocacy efforts. Frankly, I wasn't interested. Didn't have time for it.

But life and reality have a way of intervening. My wife's father is a seven year survivor of bladder cancer and I am going on my second year being cancer free from prostate cancer. However, God in his wisdom, chose to take my mother-in-law last November with stomach cancer. This was our year to Celebrate . . . And Remember.

Yet, I am keenly aware that there are those who read this who have lost loved ones or are struggling with this ravenous malady. Thus, the Fight Back. That is why we walked the laps . . . For you . . . Even though we may never meet. We will keep walking for you.

Our little from Lubbock, joins the other Relays from around the nation, to help the American Cancer Society fund more than $120 million in cancer research.

I came away from my first Relay with three indelible impressions. As I looked at the sea of purple Survivors around me, I was struck with how this dreaded disease is no respecter of age, sex, or race. The number of children and youth were in no less proportion to middle age and the mature.

Secondly, the age span of lime-green clad Caregivers was no less divers than that of the survivors. There were children and husbands surrounding their purple-shirt mothers. Elderly couples surrounded their purple-shirt young adults.

Thirdly, the purpose found in a second chance at life. The purple shirt made it easy to strike up a conversation. Each survivor seemed to have their own story of hope. Some had started up new occupations or tried challenges a previous "safe" pre-cancer life would have never considered.

My favorite conversation was with the Toy Doctor, a nine-year survivor over prostate cancer. Previously an engineer, he is now confined to a wheel chair. However, this Doc brings a great deal of joy into the lives of children in Lubbock hospitals. Using his skill with a Dremel and blocks of wood, he takes a picture of someone's pet and turns it into a 3-D toy.

To me he epitomized what the Relay for Life was all about. . .

Celebrate

Remember

FIGHT BACK!