Monday, July 2, 2012

Relay for Life part 2

This year for relay was really rainy! We got to the school track around 12 and not even kidding as soon as we had our canopy's up it started to rain. We lucked out that we got there when we did. It rained non stop up until midnight and then we had a few hours that is was just a mist. Talk about being cold and wet but it didn't dampen our spirits! We still had a great time and cried and laughed together. The next morning after we had our closing ceremony the sun came out!! It was really hot and muggy after that. I was just glad I was going home to go to bed and didn't have to walk in that weather. I am looking forward to next year already!
This is our team minus a couple of people that hadn't got there yet. The girl with the dark hair on the end and I were co team captains. It was a lot of work for me this year because she ended up moving 45 minutes away. I went to all the meetings for us but she helped in other ways. She isn't going to be on the team next year and I am going to really miss her!
These 2 are such an inspiration! This little boy was diagnosed with bone cancer and not even 2 weeks later his mom found out she had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They were both out walking the track in the rain.
This is an emotional part of the event. All of the survivors line up and walk around the track and we cheer for them. Some of them have no hair, some are in wheelchairs, some are missing limbs.
Some of them cry the whole time around the track its emotional for them too.
This is our tent site with all the stuff we have for sale. We had a mini bake sale, recipe books, shirts, wooden signs and massages. Our theme for Relay was the magic of Relay dream it hope it cure it. We went with a Disney twist and found some cute decorations.
This is Trish helping put up a tarp to keep the rain out. This is the food booth I did for my fundraiser. I was worried nobody would buy anything since it was really rainy. I had some pretty cute signs that said Mickey's diner. I served Chicken salad crossiants,chips, lemonade and homemade oreo's in the shape of Mickey's head. I sold more then I thought I would and the Mickey oreo's were a big hit!
Trish decided to cut her hair off! All of the sudden she said I am going to cut my hair. They cut 8 inches off and she had 4 ponytails because her hair is so thick! It looks really cute short. I cut mine last year so by next year it will be ready to go!
This is Satina the one I am co captains with. Our team did so awesome this year! WE are at the gold level which means we raised more then 5,000! As of today we are close to 8,000 with what we made at Relay. We also did all of the requirements to be a team pacesetter.
This is another emotional part of relay the luminaria bags. In a couple of pictures back you can see all of our bags stuffed under the table waiting to go out. We sold over 250 bags! We line them up around the track and put sand and a candle in them. They all look so awesome and make you cry when you read some of them.
This is our ceremony we had. They have someone come up and tell their story then we all walk around the track together. They play some pretty emotional songs like wind beneath my wings, hero, survivor. It is very cool to have a chance to remember so many and hope for the best for others.
This is me trying to get warm around 2am. It was so cold and rainy and I was just freezing! It was actually better to be walking around the track cuz at least that got the blood pumping!
This was our last lap around the track. We are suppose to carry our team sign and walk together. We were missing a few people but it was fun to be with those still there. It was an awesome event and I am truly blessed to be apart of it!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Relay for Life 2012 part one

I have a new passion in life and that is to raise as much money as I can to fight cancer. As you know I have lost way too many people to this horrible disease. Just as awful I have watched family and friends struggle through and survive. I got involved with a program called Relay for life.I thought I would tell you a little bit about it since sometimes people don't really know what it is.The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Cancer never sleeps so neither do we. Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. One person can make a difference and one person did his name is Gordy Klatt. Relay For Life started in the mid-1980s in Tacoma, Washington when Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed — running marathons. In the spring of 1985, Klatt spent 24 hours going around a local track –more than 83 miles – and throughout the night, nearly 300 people paid money to run or walk at intervals with him. He raised $27,000, and the experience led to his vision of 24-hour relay teams that raise money for cancer research. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer. In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield. Klatt’s vision turned into an annual program which has raised more than $4.8 billion, and has been an inspiration for millions of cancer survivors, caregivers and communities across the globe. Just a few weeks ago Dr. Klatt was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He has stayed so positive telling everyone to work their hardest at this years events. I hope we will be able to pull in more money then ever to honor him. I know as our team we did the best we ever thought we could. I will tell more about it in the next post.