When I first began participating in Relay For Life at
college, the word cancer didn’t mean much to me. I wanted to get involved in a
community event and Relay seemed like a good way to do that.
Seven Relay For Life events later and it means so much more
to me. I truly believe that almost everyone – if not everyone – has battled
cancer, knows someone who has or knows someone who has lost a loved one to
cancer.
In college, two of my close friends lost their moms to
cancer. Over the past year I have had the honor of getting to know three beautiful
girls in Genesee County fighting cancer. I was able to spend time with them for
a feature I wrote for the Flint Journal, visiting them at home and at the hospital for treatments. They made my Relay experience even more important. (Read more about the girls here)
Even when things got hard for them they had such a positive
attitude. They were truly inspiring.
I have heard countless stories of other kids, teens and
adults fighting for their lives. If you’ve ever been to a Relay For Life, you
know the people at the event have a special bond. They walk for 24 hours, but
it’s a year-long mindset.
Relayers are like a family. We celebrate the survivors and
cheer them on during the survivors lap. Many shed tears last year when the
survivors walked that lap even as a storm rolled in. The singer performed “I
will praise you in the storm,” and as the cancer survivors came around the
track the sun became to peak through the clouds.
As a Relay community we take time to mourn, remember and
cherish those who are still fighting or have lost their battle. We light up the
luminaria bags and silently walk to remember why the fundraising efforts are so
important. We never forget those who did not make it to see a cure.
We pledge to fight back. Whether through education,
fundraising, research or a helping hand to those who need it, we make a pledge
to make things easier for others.
My heart breaks for those who spend years trying to kick
cancer out of their bodies. I will most likely never find a cure for cancer. I
may never lose anyone close to me because of cancer. But today I choose to do
something.
I am on the planning committee for Grand Blanc’s Relay For
Life, which takes place on June 1. I am also on team with some of my friends
(Mosaic Flint, join us!). One in 100 people are Relayers. Crazy, right?!
I am only one. And I could use your help. My fundraising
goal is $500. Money doesn’t just go to research, but programs that help make
life easier for those who have cancer. Please, if you can spare anything
consider donating to this cause.
You can donate to my page directly here: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/SarahSchuch
For more information about the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life events visit www.relayforlife.org. For the Grand Blanc event go to www.relayforlife.org/grandblancmi.
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