Celebrate your loved one's life or your own!

The American Cancer Society has a wonderful overnight event that is nationwide that honors members of your community that have been effected by cancer.  It's not isolated to a specific type of cancer i.e. Susan J. Komen Walk for a Cure, etc.

The event honors cancer survivors and aids people in the community through the fund-raising event that is held where there is a track to be walked by members of teams.  The teams can be comprised of loved ones, survivors, corporations, co-workers, church members, fraternal organizations, etc.  The overnight event encourages that a representative from the team is walking the track throughout the event to remind everyone that cancer never sleeps.

Cancer survivors are the honored guests as there is a touching ceremonial lap that  is offered to members in the community that have had cancer.  Some people who walk that lap are honoring the memory of someone who fought the valiant fight with the dreaded dis-ease or others are survivors.  Last year was my first one and I had just finished chemotherapy three days prior to the event and I had a bladder infection but I was insistent that I needed to walk the survivor's lap.

It's an inspiration to walk with others that have been cancer-free for years along with some newbies to offer encouragement and support to THRIVE! It is so wonderful to relate to others that have walked the path to wellness and offer advice, networking resources, tips for coping, etc.

The American Cancer Society has booths set up with information about their  FREE services and programs that a lot of people aren't even aware that they offer.  I didn't know about Road to Recovery, a program that volunteers are available to help drive cancer patients to treatments if they don't have a ride for whatever reason.  American Cancer Society is still the forerunner, in my opinion, offering a wide range of services to the patient and/or caregiver.

The event in my community is August 15 this year and Gary and I will probably show up on August 16 as we are renewing our vows as we met seven years ago on Lavalife.com on August 15.

But, I'm looking forward to celebrating my life with my loved one at our local Relay for Life.   I am so grateful for the people who helped contribute to the cause last year on my behalf and I'm not just talking about their monetary support but their encouraging words during a difficult time in my life.  For more information in your own community visit www.relayforlife.org or call the American Cancer Society's toll free # 1-800-ACS-2345.