Mike Parker: Lenoir-Greene ‘Relay for Life’ set for Friday
For more years than I can remember, area residents have participated in one of this state’s most successful Relay for Life events. Teams of participants engage in friendly competition and co-encouragement as they take turns walking around a designated area to raise money for cancer research and support services.
This year’s main event will be held from 6 p.m. until midnight on Friday at the Kinston Community Center on West Vernon Avenue. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Hope.”
“This is a wonderful time for the communities to come and support Relay for Life and the fundraising efforts of our registered teams,” said American Cancer Society Community Development Manager Brenda Robinson.
One of the rules of Relay for Life is that a member of each team must be on the course at all times as a reminder that cancer patients can never stop fighting even when they are tired.
Anyone reading these words surely knows at least one person who has had to fight or is currently fighting cancer. In my closest inner circle of friends and family, I have watched four people I love fight valiantly against the Big C. Their types of cancer varied, but the battles all followed a similar course of treatment: surgery, chemo and radiation.
The case I observed most closely involved my closest friend, my wife Sandra. In 1998, we endured the longest year of our lives together as she was thrust into the medical equivalent of “Thunder Dome”: four rounds of standard chemo, surgery, high dose chemotherapy with stem cell replacement and 33 radiation treatments. She and cancer entered Thunder Dome. She emerged victorious and has remained cancer-free for more than 20 years.
Not all those who enter this Thunder Dome emerge in victory. In fact, we knew four women who had the same cancer that afflicted Sandra. She alone survived.
Unless you have endured cancer or been a caregiver for someone dealing with the disease, you cannot imagine the never-ending day-to-day battle. My brother used to tell us how brave we were. My reply was simple:
“What choice do we have?”
Raising money to find ways to prevent the disease and provide services to those enduring cancer in its many forms is the purpose of Relay for Life. The Lenoir-Greene goal is $100,000. When I last checked, organizers had already raised nearly $30,000 with nine days left. The countdown continues.
You can honor a survivor or someone who is currently in the battle. You can also honor the memory of a cancer patient who lost the battle. Luminaries to show your support include $10 per White bag, $10 for Caregiver Purple bag, $25 for Special Gold Star bags, and $100 per torch.
Luminaries and torches, displayed around the track, will be lit at 9 p.m. on Friday to pay tribute to those affected by cancer. Make plans to join Relay for Life during this special time. The luminaries are lit after dark to symbolize the darkness of fear that falls upon a person who first hears the dreaded diagnosis. The luminaries and torches represent the lights of hope.
You can purchase luminaries by calling 1-800-227-2345, by visiting the Relay website at www.relayforlife.org/LenoirNC, or by visiting the luminary table at the Relay for Life event.
Every luminary you purchase, every Relay for Life team you support, every time you make a purchase to support a bake sale or auction, and each time you post information on social media encouraging others to give, you are helping fund breakthrough research, provide free rides to treatment, keep a 24/7/365 live helpline operating and so much more.
Every donation helps the American Cancer Society save lives and serve those dealing with the disease.
Circle Friday on your calendar and support Relay for Life.
Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
