What Ails You: Gearing up for Barstow’s Relay for Life

This weekend, May 17-18, Barstow will celebrate its 10th annual Relay for Life. Relay for Life is the 24-hour fundraising walk to support the American Cancer Society and the fight for a cure. Relay teams will keep at least one member on the track throughout the 24-hour relay held at Langworthy Field at Barstow High School.

Cancer is not anonymous. I would venture that all of us, if not facing the battle ourselves, have a close friend or family member touched by cancer. Gentleman, you have a 50 percent chance of getting cancer in your lifetime. Ladies, the odds aren’t much better for us. One in three of us will get cancer. One out of seven of us will fight breast cancer. Cancer accounts for nearly 23 percent of annual deaths. The survival rate is better, but the war rages on, and this war, like any other, will take money to win.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) supports cancer research in the hope of finding a cure. More than that, though, are the many services to cancer patients and their families. ACS services are available 24 hours a day. Waking in the middle of the night alone, in pain and scared, a cancer patient can call and speak to an ACS representative or, through the ACS, to a cancer survivor who can offer kinship and words of encouragement.

Relay for Life, the signature activity for the ACS, is the largest annual not-for-profit fundraising event in the world. With 4,800 communities across the nation participating, the Relay raises more than $300 million for the ACS. The money raised is overwhelming, but keep in mind, those millions are made from the pennies and dollars that people like you donate to this fine cause.

Teams formed from friends, family and co-workers gather donations to support the cause. In return for your donation, your team promises to keep at least one team member on the walkway at all times during the next 24 hours. Cancer never sleeps. This walk is our reminder that the war against cancer rages every hour of every day. Each team will have a tent set up around the football field and will have information available for you on the wonderful array of services available through the ACS. Some teams sell munchies and trinkets from their tents donating the proceeds to the fight. Other teams hold raffles. Each team has the opportunity to participate in fund-raising games and contests.

Each participant who raises $100 receives a T-shirt to commemorate their participation. When you see someone wearing one of those prized T-shirts, remember they walked the walk in the fight against cancer. Some of these folks are walking in memory of loved ones, some fight a personal battle against the disease and others walk to show love and support for this cause praying their own lives and loved ones will be spared.

The Relay for Life will begin at 9 the morning of Saturday, May 17. As part of the opening ceremonies, there will be a Survivor’s Lap. Cancer survivors from the community will walk together to celebrate their victory while the rest of us cheer them on. If you have survived cancer, regardless of whether you have joined a team or whether you can afford to contribute, come join your fellow cancer warriors on this victory lap.
Come sunset, the most poignant moment of the weekend is the Luminaria Ceremony. These tiny candle-lit bags bear the names of those we have loved while they have fought cancer. The luminaries line the walk way burning through the night to guide walkers. If you would like to dedicate a Luminaria to someone you love, simply contact a team member anywhere and they can provide you a form and take your $5 donation.

Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested over $2.5 billion in cancer research. The California Division funds its own research program with more than $1 million dollars annually and the national office sends California another $10 million. Over the last 90 years, the ACS has been involved in many of the biggest breakthroughs in the war on cancer including the development of mammography to screen for breast cancer and identifying a blood test as an early indicator of prostate cancer.

If you are interested in making a donation, joining a team or getting more information about the American Cancer Society, contact Renita Wickes, our Relay for Life chairman, at (760) 447-2079.

Please make time this coming weekend to visit Langworthy Field at Barstow High School and show your support for your neighbors and friends who are dedicating themselves to the Relay for Life. Although checks made payable to the American Cancer Society are always appreciated, your loose change and ones add up. We will look forward to seeing you!

ABOUT THE WRITER:
Jackie Randa is a physical therapist who owns Back on Track in Barstow. She can be contacted at jranda@aol.com