I went to a Relay for Life tonight in Rockwall, Texas. The sponsoring business had kicked in $29,000 before any other monies were tallied! The survivor lap consisted of 391 years of survival, plus my 7 months. It was quite an emotional moment for me and very humbling to see people lined up on the sides cheering on the survivors.

I came across a website this week www.thecancermonument.org and was intrigued. Interestingly enough, they are trying to construct a cancer monument near where I live and were also at the Relay for Life I attended. I thought is was an interesting idea thought up by a cancer survivor that has been battling non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for the past 4 years. She is trying to educate people on the importance of early detection for oral cancers.

Ed

I participated in my second Relay for Life this weekend. Last year I was part of a large corporate team; this year I organized a smaller team from our church in the name of someone we know who has been going through treatments for oral cancer.

The survivors' lap and the luminaria ceremony were especially moving. As I started doing laps, I was checking first for all the names our team had submitted for candles, but after that, I started seeing more and more names that I recognized (friends, neighbors, former co-workers) who had also had to deal with cancer in one form or another. I did my last several laps with a friend who was having the same "name-recognition" experience and we were sharing our stories.

Cathy

Our Relay for Life event is next weekend. I have been on a team for the past three years, but this year my 13 year old daughter and several of her friends (some whose parents have had cancer)have formed their own team. They have had car washes, babysat, and sold magnets to raise money. I think it is a great way for children/teenagers to help deal with their feelings and to feel they are helping in the fight. I remember when my husband was going through radiation and we drove home for the weekend to see the kids; the relay was one weekend and I went and brought my kids. My husband was too weak to walk the survivor lap, but my kids and I walked the caregiver lap (usually the lap after the survivor lap). It was very emotional for all of us, especially when we saw his name on several bags people in our small town had done.
If you have never been to a Relay for Life event, I would encourage you to go. It is a great community event that not only raises money for cancer, but awareness as well.

I attended the Relay for Life in my area last Friday night. It was a very moving experience. I am a heart on my sleeve kind of gal, and it was a real effort for me to take that first survivor lap with all the people surrounding the track clapping for us. I did great until I rounded the last curve and saw my family standing up and crying and clapping for me! The luminaria ceremony was also special as they read the names of survivors (In Honor of...) and those who have passed on (In Memory of...) I had purchased luminarias for several of our board members, and it was so special to hear your names read aloud! It felt like you were there with me.

Something that truly disappointed me in the event was the minimal mention of oral cancer in any of the materials passed out. Lots of research and progress in areas of breast cancer and lung cancer, but no mention at all of oral cancer except for the address of SPOHN in a support group section of a pamphlet. That is just not right!

I hadn't planned to attend the gathering in Las Vegas, but my husband and I are now making arrangements to be there. We need to get the word out.

Viva Las Vegas!
Sincerely,
Lisa in Ks

Amen, Lisa!
I am SO glad you and your husband will be here in September!
Your walk brought tears to my eyes.
Love and God bless,
Judy U

Lisa,

I saw a lot of survivors cheering as the crowd was cheering but my reaction was the same as yours. It was a very humbling and emotional time for my wife and me. I attended the Relay for Life in 2000 when my mother was terminal with ovarian cancer; I attended in 2001 after she passed away and a good friend was terminal with bone cancer; I attended in 2002 while going through the Hep C treatment but was too tired to stay all night; I did not attended in 2003 but did make it as a survivor in 2004. I guess I'm on the roll this century and can't stop now!

Rock Chalk Jayhawks! See ya in Vegas!

Ed

Lisa,

I agree it is so disheartening to realize that even the American Cancer Society staff and volunteers don't know much about oral cancer. I am happy to say that there are a few more people in my area that are now a bit more informed.

The night I was to give the talk at the Relay, we got rained out. Actually "lightninged" out because rain alone doesn't deter them. We stood there for a couple hours counting between the flashes and finally gave up and scheduled the ceremony for the next morning.

While waiting, I talked with many of the volunteers and one staff member. Because of their questions and interest in Heather's case and their obvious lack of oral cancer facts, I went home and rewrote much of my speech. The other speaker couldn't make it the next morning, so I took advantage of the extra time.

I was afraid I would break down and not be able to finish. I did almost lose it a few times, but was able to go on. The worst thing was that I had taken a picture of Heather and Cati to show at the beginning of the speech. But I had a microphone in one hand and my notes in the other, so one of the volunteers offered to hold the picture. She held it through the entire speech, which was fine, except that she kept sniffling. The more I heard her cry, the more I felt myself starting to do the same. So I was trying to surreptitiously move far enough away so I couldn't hear her. At the same time, I'm trying to remember my speech. I had rehearsed the previous week, but since I added stuff at the last minute, I made notes so I could keep on track. But there was no podium to lay anything down and the mike was so fat, I had trouble holding it and turning the pages at the same time. It was a sight to see!

I know Heather's story made an impact, though, because when I was done and went to where several of the volunteers were sitting, everyone was in tears. Thank goodness I wasn't close enough to hear them while speaking or I would have lost it for sure!

Since I stressed how helpful OCF was, I have now been asked to write a small piece for the ACS's local newsletter about OCF. I gave them an info card and a lady who is an employee of a dental company asked for a card also. So at least a few people are more aware of oral cancer now. Brian, maybe I should ask what you want written for the newsletter. Or maybe you already have a small piece written that would be appropriate. Can you tell I need help?!? LOL!

This Relay was actually in a neighboring county, so I'm going to attend my county's Relay at the end of June, so I can compare speeches and see how badly I did! LOL!

Well, enough gibberish for now. I haven't been on the forum much lately, so I need to catch up on all the news. I will see you all in Vegas, though!

Rainbows & hugs,
Rosie

Well Rosie
I knew you would 'do good'lady.. I thank you for your continued effort on 'my' behalf.. you always are prepared to go 'that extra mile' yes oral cancer needs to be brought to the front.. and when I say I have oral cancer.. everyone goes quiet and dissapears.. so SHOUT loud for Heather and for us..God Bless You Rosie.. may peace be yours someday..
Sunshine.. love and hugs
Helen

Yes, God bless you, Rosie! I am so proud and honored to know you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for spreading the word. Each time you mention breaking down and tears, my eyes well up and I feel some of your pain. I would take it all to give you one day of peace and comfort. May God continue to hold you in his healing and comforting hands.

Ed

Rosie and Ed,

My eyes well up too. Rosie you are truly a wonderful woman and you are always in my prayers.

Love,
Dani