Jason and I ventured downtown early Friday evening to catch the start of the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life. I wanted to be there for the start of the event and grab some photos.
The relay is held in communities across the country. Teams of 10 - 15 participants raise funds, camp on the grounds and spend 12 hours walking, running, or wheeling around the track. The track is surrounded by luminaries in memory of loved ones who have died of cancer, or in honour of loved ones who have survived a battle with the disease.
The first lap of the relay is for the cancer survivors. All dressed in yellow t-shirts, they walk the track to a round of applause. It's so incredibly moving to witness these people, so triumphant in what they have overcome, and to see the diversity in the people affected. This terrible disease affects us all - who doesn't know someone who has battled it at some point in their lives?
Next Friday, Middleton, Nova Scotia, will be hosting their Relay for Life. My sister is participating in the relay and we'll head to the Valley to cheer her on. Mom, Dad, my brother-in-law Gary, and I will all be walking the Survivors' Lap. I got emotional watching the Halifax Survivors' Lap, I'm sure I'll be emotional walking it the day after I finish treatment.
Check out the facebook page for more photos of the Halifax event.
...Kare
A family of survivors - strong and resilient. love, smh
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to being there in our yellow t-shirts and walking our survivor walk. When Dad & I did this in 2006 and we realized that all of the applause and cheers was for us - the survivors - it brought tears to our eyes. I'm sure it will happen again this time when we add Karen and Gary to the group.
ReplyDelete