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