Do The Rich & Famous Always Get the Exception?

Cancer does not discriminate. It does not only feed on the weak or the poor. It can affect anyone and everyone, including the rich and famous. This debilitating disease has unfortunately, affected many celebrities. Many are household names and the fact that they were diagnosed with cancer is virtually unknown. What comes to mind when you hear the name Olivia Newton John? Most people would recall a beautiful blonde who sings during her summer nights, not a survivor of breast cancer who underwent a mastectomy.

Perhaps one of the most famous survivors of cancer is Lance Armstrong. He is a world-renowned athlete who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996. After fighting off the disease and creating those yellow bracelets that everyone loves, he established the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which funds cancer research. Other celebrities who are survivors include Apple's main man Steve Jobs, the guy with the gold tickets, Gene Wilder (best known for his role of Willy Wonka), and actresses Suzanne Somers and Christina Applegate. Sadly, many other celebrities have lost their battles with cancer and we remember them for all of their accomplishments in life and teh legacies they left behind. Cancer, although debilitating, brings people together. Those who have struggled with the disease or those who have known someone who has struggled all come together with a common bond of fighting for hope. We appreciate celebrities who create awareness for cancer, so further research can be funded.

~Allison Lekich, OU Relay for Life Planning Committee Member 2011

Cancer Never Cancels

The weather report didn't look good and even a few teams double-checked that Relay was going to continue. Despite the threats of storms we pressed on and Relay began beautifully. The Opening Ceremony was touching and heart-warming. The silent lap was full of reflection and emotion. The walking began and so did the entertainment. The late night was starting to get to everyone, the perfect time to begin the Miss Relay Contest. Boys scurried through dresses and wigs, some showed up in full dress and just re-touched their make-up.

            "For my talent, I'd like to sing a song," said one contestant in a high-pitched sing-song voice, twirling his mop wig.

            Just as he opened with his girliest voice, the rain came. In a second it was more than a downpour. The committee rushed around trying to cover and move everything on stage while the participants huddled in the middle as the viewing teams gathered around them for cover. The big storm was here and the thunder and lightening demanded we moved everyone to the emergency shelter.

            We did our best, with the great help from Alpha Phi Omega, to keep people entertained inside, even completing the pageant with those who withstood the storm. However, no matter how much we tried to plan, there was no cure for cabin fever. I peaked outside hoping to see the sky clear, but it was still raining. I noticed puddles splashing, not from raindrops, but from runners. A few dedicated champions raced through the rain. The storm could not hold them back and they were determined to keep running, just as cancer patients do. As I admired their commitment to the cause, a group of three girls asked if they could go walk, since it was their hour. We warned them that there was some flooding around the track but they responded, "No problem, we're not wearing shoes." They braved out into the last trickling of the storm barefoot. Our track is a horse track, a gravel road around a large field, filled with mud, puddles, and small pebbles, but they carried on.

            Once the storm hit, a lot of campers had packed themselves into cars and went home. With most participants gone and those who remained understandably frustrated with the weather, I thought this storm had ruined Relay. But when I saw those dedicated few running and walking through the storm, I was in awe of the commitment and determination of those devoted few. Relay for Life is an overnight event because cancer never sleeps, but as I was reminded by a fellow committee member when discussing emergency  weather plans, "Cancer never cancels." Our participants did not cancel and fought through the uncontrollable conditions. After two changes of wet clothes, no sleep, and a slight infection of cabin fever, I can truly say that this was the most inspiring Relay for Life I have ever attended. I cannot put into words the emotion I felt watching those runners race around the track. All I could think about was the wondrous metaphor they played out for cancer patients. Cancer never cancels, and no storm will stop the fight. We must press on, regardless of things we cannot control, we will go on, and we will win this battle against cancer.

A Relay Narrative

 Sitting on the sun covered front porch of her house, Ohio University junior Debbie Krysiak enjoys the hot spring day and soaks in the fresh air. Her smile is bright and stretches from ear to ear as she recalls the memory of her best friend Dominick who passed away last year from a seven year battle with Leukemia. “In the words of James Blunt ‘he touched my heart, he touched my soul, he changed my life and all my goals.’ Dom was always someone that was there for you. He was outgoing, friendly to everyone, and changed a million people’s lives; including mine,” she said.

It is for people like Dominick and for friends like Debbie that the annual Relay for Life event benefiting the American Cancer Society is held in the spring. Students and community members of Athens gather every year for an all night event to remember those who have lost the fight to cancer, honor those who have survived the battle, and support those who are currently fighting.

Relay for Life, although an event to help raise money for the fight to cure cancer, is much more than just a fundraiser. Madeleine Stevens, president of the Ohio University Relay for Life, says “the main reason for relay is to show others just how much of an impact this disease has on not only our family and friends, but also the world. Relay is a worldwide movement to put an end to cancer and to prove to ourselves that we will never give up until there is a cure for it.” Stevens has participated in the relay at Ohio University for three years now and relays largely for the memory of her mother’s best friend who passed away from a 13 year long battle with cancer. “She never held a flashy job or led a high-class life, but she was the person in my city that everyone loved; she was funny, kind and everyone knew her. This is the type of woman I’ve always wanted to become, and so I relay in memory of her,” said Madeleine.

Whether you have known a friend, family member, or an acquaintance that has battled or is currently battling cancer, the Relay for Life event is truly inspiring. “Relay teams camp out in the center of the track for 18 hours and participate in on-site fundraisers and walk around the track in a symbolic effort to never give up in the fight against cancer,” said Maddie. Luminaria bags holding the names of loved ones who have battled cancer are placed around the Athens City Fairground track in honor of those individuals. These luminaria bags, glittering beautifully with candle light inside, illuminate the way for the hundreds of people and teams that participate every year. During the relay a survivor’s lap for those who have survived cancer takes place as well as a silent lap during the luminaria lighting ceremony for those who have lost the battle to cancer. This year, the Relay for Life event takes place on May 21^st-22^nd from 5 p.m. to 11 a.m. at the Athens City Fairgrounds on Union Street. Donations can also be made to any participant, team, or a general event.

When asked why she was participating in Relay for Life this year Debbie responds thoughtfully, “My friends and I have a saying about Dom: ‘The man, the myth, the legend.’ I want to do anything I can do to remember him and to help keep that legend alive.”  

~Amanda Reece, Ohio University Student

Remember Why You Chose to Relay

 

Relay for Life is just one month from today and the planning committee wants to encourage you all to keep working hard.  During these final weeks of preparation, we want you to remember the reason that you are relaying.  Cancer has affected just about every person in one-way or another so we want you to keep in mind the reason why you pledged to raise money for Relay for Life in the first place.

 

Cancer is a word that I became familiar with at a very young age because my grandfather died of the disease when I was about 3 years old.  Since I was so young when bone cancer took his life, I do not have any memories with him.  My family often tells me that I have many of the same personality traits that he possessed and that he would have really enjoyed watching me grow up.  This often makes me sad that I never got the chance to know him.  My personal reason to relay is to fight cancer so that others don’t live with the regret of never knowing a family member.  I hope that someday, someone is able to find a cure for this awful disease so that nobody else has to live without his or her loved ones.

 

In this last month before Relay for Life, I encourage you to think about the reason you chose to relay when you feel like you don’t have any more time or energy to give.  We are well on our way to reaching our goal of raising $75,000, but we still have a lot of work to do.  With your help and dedication, I know we can make it!

 

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to raise money, we are holding a letter writing party on Tuesday, April 27 in Bentley 129 from 7-10.  We will have prewritten letters asking for donations and stamps.  All you have to do is show up during that time with the addresses of your family and friends and address the envelopes.  We hope to see all of you there.

 

Thanks again for all of your hard work and as you fundraise, remember the reason you chose to participate in Relay for Life.

-Krista Meyer, Team Recruitment

Want to Get Involved?

Has your own personal experience with cancer inspired you to do more? Have you never directly known anyone affected by cancer and hope to keep it that way? Relay for Life is a great way to get involved in the endless fight against cancer. There are 4 ways to join Relay for Life.

 

1. Join the Planning Committee

As a committee member you will work behind the scenes from team recruitment to survivorship to logistics and setup. Being a committee member requires the greatest time commitment since the committee holds weekly meetings as well as other assignments. This is the best way to be fully involved in Relay for Life, you will have many opportunities to learn more about the American Cancer Society and inspire others to join in the Relay for Life movement!

 

2. Create a Team

There would not be an event without teams! Teams are the heart and soul of Relay for Life. Teams raise the money that supports the American Cancer Society programs and research. They also create the spirit of the event and are directly involved in the community with their fundraisers and recruitment. To start a team, talk to friends, neighbors, classmates, professors, everyone who is passionate about ending the fight against cancer. Once you have identified team members go to www.RelayforLife.org/OU to sign up your team! Now get out there, fundraise, and get excited for the Relay!

 

3. Sponsorship

Sponsors make the event possible. Business and personal donations help the committee make Relay for Life all it can be! Cash is always welcome, but sponsorship isn't just money, it can be food, media outlets, and various products. Being a sponsor means helping your community, you will be a part of this wonderful event that educates and aids your friends, family, and neighbors.

 

4. Donate

One of the many goals of Relay for Life is community involvement. You don't need to devote hours of your time or hundreds of dollars. We hope that by giving just a little you will be rewarded with information about how to get well, stay well, find cures, and fight back. Attend a team's fundraiser or throw a dollar in the bucket. Every little bit helps, and remember, cents make change!

 

To get involved, become our fan on Facebook (see the link on the right) and send us a message. We will be sure to see that you get in touch with the right person!

What is Relay for Life?

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.

Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, the American Cancer Society continues to save lives.[1]

At Ohio University's Relay for Life survivors and students join the movement at the Athens County Fairgrounds for 18 hours. There are tons of bands, games, and fun filled moments along with free food (and what college student doesn't love a free meal?). Whether it's during the Miss Relay contest or the Luminaria Ceremony, we celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember those who lost their battle, and fight back against the disease that takes too much. As college students we are future researchers, doctors, caregivers, and survivors. Through our continued support of the American Cancer Society and our never-ending fight against cancer, we have the possibility of seeing the day when we find the cure!

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[1] www.RelayforLife.org