Special to The Community News
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Parker County is just around the corner. This “celebration of life” brings the community together in a unified effort to fight cancer and symbolizes the fight patients face after they are diagnosed with the disease.
Relay for life is an overnight, team effort to raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service programs.
“Cancer does not stop at the nighttime” said Suzy Cooper, Relay for Life event chair. “So were not going to stop at nighttime either. We hope the community will join us in this fight”.
Relay for Life starts at dusk and ends in the morning hours of the following day. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotions and mental state of cancer patients while undergoing treatment.
The Relay begins when the sun is setting. This symbolizes the time that people are diagnosed with cancer. The day is getting darker, and this represents the cancer patients’ state of mind as they endure the emotions of facing this deadly disease.
As the evening goes on, it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of cancer patients do. Between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. represents the time when cancer patients starts treatment. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, and possibly wanting to give up.
Participants in Relay feel much the same way while walking during these hours. They cannot stop or give up: just as cancer patients cannot stop or give up.
The sun rising represents the end of treatment for Cancer patients. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning brings on a new day, full of life and excitement. Participants fell the brightness of the morning and know that the end of the Relay is close at hand.
When participants leave the Relay, they can think of cancer patients leaving their last treatment. Just as participants are exhausted and weak, so are individuals after treatment.
Relay for Life takes place from 7 p.m. on April 18 until 7 a.m. on April 19 at Shirley hall middle school. Information about how to form a team or become involved is available from the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
To register a team, call Pam Frink 940-452-6180.