We are very excited to announce that this year Be Prepared Period will have a team participating in Arlington, Washington’s Relay for Life (June 23rd/24th)!

 

What is Relay for Life?

“Relay” an abbreviated nickname, is a terrific, overnight, relay-style event held all across the country to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Teams of people camp out around a track with members of each team taking turns walking around the track for the duration of the event. Each event has its own “flavor” or style. Some events are held in stadiums around a track like Arlington’s, while others are held around city blocks, like in Bellingham, Washington. Whatever the style, they are sure to provide great opportunities to raise awareness and funds for cancer.

Arlington Relay for Life 2011Last year, I (Tara) was invited to participate in “Relay” for the first time by a friend whose company was sponsoring a team. She told me it was an amazing event, but I don’t think one can fully understand the magic of the event without participating personally. It is hard to express how it makes you feel to be surrounded by thousands of participants gathered to support, celebrate and remember the lives that have been touched by cancer. How has cancer affected your life? (I don’t think there are many that have not had cancer touch their lives in one way or another. I pause…as I write this post to remember just a few of the loved ones I have lost to this horrible disease…Grandma “Pumpkin Patch”- Breast Cancer, Uncle Jim N.- Lung Cancer, Great Grandma “O” – Pancreatic Cancer, Uncle Jim A. – Pancreatic Cancer. They are gone, but never forgotten.)

 

So what makes this event so special?Luminary Bags - Relay for Life

I’m not sure there is one answer. It is the camaraderie among caregivers, cancer survivors and supporters as we walk lap after lap, mile after mile. It is the extra bond that is formed by spending nearly 24 hours walking with these individuals. It is the Luminaria ceremony where luminary bags are decorated and lit to remember loved ones and to celebrate the years that cancer has been beat. It is the release of the doves in the closing ceremony to symbolize hope. But again, an experience that must be experienced firsthand to really appreciate.

 

Decorated Luminary BagA common question around Relay for Life events is, “Why do you ‘Relay’?”

Many say, “I ‘Relay’ for my (sister, aunt, daughter…) who is fighting/was lost to (breast, skin, lung…) cancer.

We say, “We ‘Relay’ for YOU!” We hope you never have to face a doctor delivering the heart stopping words, “You have Cancer.” or if you do, that it is followed with good news, “We have a CURE!”

Having such a big impact on me last year, I thought to myself, “I want to do more. Let’s sponsor a team next year!”

And here we are, it’s next year already! Our team is assembling and we are beginning our fundraising efforts.

 

You may wonder, “Where does the money go?”

And that’s a great question! American Cancer Society divides its funds to support Cancer Research, Detection & Treatment, Prevention and Patient Support. Patient support includes services that help with lodging, rides to treatments and doctor appointments, their “Look Good…Feel Better” program (helping teach women how to cope with skin changes & hair loss, including the donations of wigs) and much more! Every dollar helps!

If you’d like to support us, The Be Prepared Period Team as we raise funds for a cure, please visit our teams fundraising page at Relay for Life.

 

Dream it, Hope it, Cure it.

Tara Bruley and The Be Prepared Period Team