On October 10Th at 6:30 it begins. At the First Baptist Church in
Stanley, NC it begins. The beginning of the tenth annual event. You are welcome
to attend.
Yes I am talking about something near and dear to my heart, the
East Gaston Relay for Life. Some of you already know this-many do not. The
reasons that I am so dedicated to Relay for Life.
In January of 2008 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In February
I underwent a lumpectomy and began radiation treatments. There are few things
that can blindside you any more than having a doctor sit down beside you and in
a calm, caring voice tell you that you have cancer. Even though I thought I had
already accepted that the tests were going to come back positive for cancer it
still sent me reeling. The rest of that day was spent actually accepting the
diagnoses and deciding how I was going to handle it. An unashamed Christian I
spent a lot of time talking to God as I tried to finish out the day at work. By
the time I got home I was calmer. I knew it was going to be okay.
I had a wonderful doctor, she explained everything, every step of the
way. Possessing a wonderfully different personality she made it easy to prepare
for everything that was to come. And then to travel the road to recovery
afterwards. Still, there were moments that I wished I knew more about things
other than procedures, types of cancer and recovery times. Having never traveled
this road I had no clue where to go find answers. There were times that I felt
very alone.
Near the end of my radiation treatments I was invited to join a Relay
for Life team. There wasn't many meetings left before the event was held so I
didn't see what all was involved in the making of the Relay night happen. At my
first Relay it was an amazing collection of sights, sounds and happenings.
Campsites lined the track, tents and lawnchairs surrounded the canopies, the air
was filled with the sounds of voices and laughter. The different textures of the
grass and the paved track, the feel of the air warm in the afternoon sun cooling
quickly as the sun went down. The aromas of various foods cooking, drifting on
the breeze, the kaleidescope of colors drawing one's attention from one site to
the next. It was so amazing, so thrilling and at times confusing. The crowds
thinned the later the hour got. At 2AM I found myself walking around the track
alone. The cool night air bringing a shiver. The music level had been lowered in
an attempt not to disturb the neighors. I walked with my hands in my pockets
absorbing everything around me, hearing the people I passed or who passed me. I
walked alone and felt it. Just as I had felt alone undergoing the whole cancer
experience.
Since that first time I have remained a dedicated part of the East Gaston
Relay for Life. I do help as I can with the fundraising, but I have come to
realize that it is so much more than that. I have learned a great deal in the
time since my cancer. There is a wealth of information on the American Cancer
Society's web site: www.cancer.org. There are people on the other end of
the phone number: 1.800.ACS.2345 ready and willing to answer any questions and
provide any assistance or tell where the caller can get the assistance they
need. I know that there are programs set up to help those who are fighting
cancer. Programs such as Look Good-Feel Good, rider programs and more. They want
the person fighting and the fighter's caregiver to know they are not alone and
there is always someone there for them.
The fundraising events are not just fundraising- they are times when
communities can come together with one goal in common- fight cancer, help the
fighter. I've watched the people attending some of these events and watched how
the spent time visiting, laughing and sharing. How they support the fight and
are also determined to win this. Too many have been touched by cancer in some
form or other. Too many have watched friends, relatives, co-workers fight and
win or fight and the cancer win. The pain of this has them working in what ever
capacity they are able to put an end to cancer.
On October 6TH the East Gaston Relay for Life will have a booth
at Stanley's Country Festival, stop by and visit with us. Learn more about what
we have to offer the community, how we can be a bigger part and not just a
fundraiser.
The very first East Gaston Relay for Life event took place in 2003 raising
over $43,000. This Relay beginning will be the 10th annual event. A lot of
changes have taken place in ten years. Teams have come and gone. People have
won..and lost..their battles, lost friends and family members. A lot has been
lost to cancer. The event has moved from the East Gaston High School football
field to the Methodist Church's walking track known as Common Ground at 5481
Hickory Grove Road just outside of Stanley. We have made progress, but we have
not met the goal of getting rid of Cancer.
On October 10TH the East Gaston Relay for Life 2013 Kick off event will
take place at the First Baptist Church in Stanley at 409 Old Mount Holly Rd. It
begins at 6:30PM. It promises to be an interesting time, an educational time, a
good time-complete with edibles. We've saved a place for you, won't you join us?
You don't have to be a cancer survivor or caregiver to be a part of Relay. all
you have to be is someone with a dedicated heart and a solid determination to
help eradicate cancer in our lifetime and while we are working on that to make
things better for those in the midst of the battle.
okay- the date is wrong. It is October 9th..
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