Staying up until six o'clock in the morning was rough, and I left a little banged up and bruised... but my first Relay For Life certainly left an impression!
My name is Leah Almeling, and I have been interning with the American Cancer Society in
After the opening ceremony, I took a couple of laps around the track but there were too many things going on to keep going around in circles. The stage was constantly filled with entertainment like bands, singers, and Relay's Got Talent. A performer juggled bowling pins on the field goal post, guys dressed up like girls to raise money and people sang their hearts out on stage. This wasn't like a memorial service; it was a huge party!
But of course that was all before we got to the Luminaria Ceremony. The candles told the story of those that had battled cancer. Some had survived and others lived on only as memories. And then our speaker, who had just lost her mother to colon cancer two weeks ago, told her story. She was so brave, and I couldn't imagine the strength it took to speak that night. It was very touching, and I'll admit that tears filled my eyes.
As the night went on, my team and I played with our fellow Relayers including one crazy dance party and an intense game of duck, duck, goose. After sliding on the Astroturf to avoid getting tagged, I'd like to say the huge scratch/burn is a battle wound and a tribute to my dedication in the fight against cancer. We stayed for the closing ceremony (we didn't win a thing but cheered really loud for everyone else), packed up our stuff and drove home to crash in our beds.
Since the Relay (which was only a few short days ago) my life and experience with cancer has changed dramatically. One of my friends from high school was diagnosed with testicular cancer and another friend just lost his mother to breast cancer. At the time, I was doing Relay to help the faceless people that have been touched by this disease. Now I realize that there is no escaping an effect of this disease. We have to fight back however we can. I think there is something to gain for anyone that gets involved with Relay For Life, and I hope everyone's experience is as amazing as mine!
The Survivor's Lap
The first lap around the track
That's me in the grey! I was making sure the bowling pin was 'real' as a contestant in Relay's Got Talent climbed up the goal post.
And there he is juggling three 'real' bowling pins on top of the goal post... luckily he got down safely and nobody was sued.
The stage at night
For more information about a Relay For Life near you call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.relayforlife.org.
