by Billie Turner

More than three million people in the United States from 5,000 communities have found hope by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Often, newly diagnosed patients or caregivers of someone recently lost to cancer are invited to a Relay For Life event not knowing what to expect. Many say that from the moment they set foot on the Relay track, they discover a community of people who know what they’ve been through. It’s that support that brings the hope needed to move toward healing.

Nearly everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another. When you ask cancer survivors or their caregivers what helped them get through grueling treatment or even the loss of a loved one, most can answer in one word: Hope.

While in treatment, cancer patients may hope for strength during treatment or for a lifesaving cure.  When faced with the loss of a loved one, caregivers, family members and friends search for hope that others won’t face the same cancer and that they can find emotional healing as they grieve.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

Celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue their fight. Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, those who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing. Fight back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease. Make a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight.

The local Relay for Life’s “Game On” theme inspired teams to to work together in an effort to show how they were taking on the fight to find a cure and “knocking Cancer off the board” while showing everyone how SORRY we are that RELAYOPOLY is giving Cancer such TROUBLE! Teams also showed survivors how to have a better chance at LIFE. Teams showed how it’s GAME OVER for Cancer because they were IN IT TO WIN IT … because they we’re BETTING ON A CURE while others shared just a few encouraging WORDS WITH FRIENDS while they are on their AMAZING RACE.

Relay has celebrated, remembered and fought back. The annual Relay for Life Walk Event took place the first weekend in June with participants joining team members in walking laps at Armory Field. Community groups joined efforts to offer support to cancer survivors and their caregivers while raising funds for the cure.

The day was filled with activities and opportunities to support the cause. With the probability of threatening weather, the decision was made to ere on the side of caution in order to protect the safety of participants. The luminaria ceremony was postponed with intentions to reschedule for an early autumn weekend event.

Participants are encouraged to join together on Sunday, Sept. 9 at Barrett’s Landing – Main Street, Franklin for the Franklin/Southampton County and Emporia/Greensville County Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony and Awards Ceremony. There will be live entertainment by Cecil Edwards and Friends along with food concessions beginning at 5 p.m.; recognitions for Relay For Life event teams and award presentations at 7 p.m.; the Luminaria Ceremony will immediately follow the awards and recognitions.

BILLIE TURNER is the executive director of the Village at Woods Edge in Franklin, as well as serving on the local Relay For Life organization. Contact her at 562-3100.