Relay For Life of Lowndes County

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PAR/PAR_1_9_Relay_For_Life_Events_Search_Results.asp

Before I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, my philosophy about cancer in general was as follows: "If I ignore cancer, it will ignore me." Obviously, that was not correct, more proof I am not always right. I think it is the right thing to do to help the American Cancer Society work toward finding a cure for cancer. The best way I can think of right now to do that is to participate in the local Relay For Life. Relay For Life is an exciting and fun way to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.

Because cancer has affected us all in one way or another, I have decided to participate in Relay For Life. I am asking you to support me in this effort by making a donation of your choice to the American Cancer Society. Typical donations start at $10 or $20.

Relay For Life is a 12 hour event involving teams of 10-15 people who will keep at least one team member on the track the entire time. Our community Relay For Life will take place at the Saunders Field (Magnolia Bowl - old name) on April 21 from 6 PM to April 22 at 6 AM. Hundreds of people will be joining together to fight back against cancer.

In addition, I would like to invite you to attend the Luminaria Ceremony of Hope which will take place at 10 PM that evening. Luminarias will be lit to honor cancer survivors and to remember those we have lost.

Our team's goal is to raise $1700 for American Cancer Society funded research, education, advocacy and services. By making a check payable to the American Cancer Society and returning it to me, we can make a difference together! Because there is no finish line until we find a cure.

Thank you in advance for your support! Talk to me or send me an e-mail if you have any questions or would like to join me in participating in Relay For Life.


Relay For Life of Lowndes County Event Information :

Description
A fun-filled overnight activity that mobilizes communities across the country to celebrate survivorship, remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and raise money for the fight against cancer. This is an American Cancer Society signature activity.

Start date and time
4/21/2006 6:00:00 PM

End date and time
4/22/2006 6:00:00 AM

Agenda
4/21/2006
8:00 am - Campsite set-up
12:00 pm - Registration
6:00 pm - Survivor Reception
7:00 pm - Opening Ceremony
10:00 pm - Luminaria Ceremony
6:00 pm - 5:00 am - Activities and entertainment

4/22/2006
5:00 am - Closing Ceremony
4:30 am - Clean up begins

The event will take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, relocation or rescheduling information will be broadcast on WCBI TV4 CBS affiliate for the area.

Intended Audience
General

Languages spoken at this event
English

Appropriate attire
Casual

Location and Contact Information

Location
Magnolia Bowl
Hwy 45 N & 5th Ave N
Columbus, MS 39701

Additional Information
From Starkville: Exit off of Hwy 82 at the 5th Street Exit. Exit the ramp to the right - event is one block on your left.
From Tupelo: Follow Hwy 45 South until it narrows to two lanes just under the Hwy 82 overpass. The event will be approximately one and a half blocks ahead on the left.

Contact
Caran Brown

Phone
(662) 844-8544

Email
caran.brown@cancer.org

Registration Information

Registration deadline
4/21/2006 6:00:00 PM

Cost/registration fee
$10.00

Cost/registration fee information
$10.00 per person for registration fee. $100.00 per team for registration fee. Team members are asked to raise a minimum of $100.00 each. The commitment fee does count toward the team total. T-Shirts: Members raising $100.00 or more will receive a t-shirt. Additional t-shirts are not for sale. Teams can put their team name on t-shirts. Deadline for T-Shirt count is 3/10/2006.

Payments accepted
American Express
MasterCard
Cash
Check
Discover
Money Order
Visa

Check payable to
American Cancer Society

Memo line
RFL of Lowndes County

Mail check to
American Cancer Society 1800 W Main St Box #1 Tupelo, MS 38801

Registration contact
Caran Brown

Phone
(662) 844-8544

Email
caran.brown@cancer.org

ACS Internal Event Id
B66DCC6B8877E5308525710F006C688F

History of Relay For Life

One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.

While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. 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.

Day 65

Saturday we took my son to the airport so he could fly back to Iraq. That was not much fun but it was good to have him back for a visit. The two weeks flew by as I knew it would. He actually spent a little more time with us this time than he has before which was nice.

One of the ministers at our church called me last week and asked me to say a few words about my cancer experience as it relates to a response of compassion from others. The Bible class topic of discussion was compassion as well as the sermon topic. What I wrote was supposed to be an adjunct to the sermon. Billy told me I could take two minutes so I tried to keep it short. I'm going to post what I wrote below in case you might be interested.

Good morning everyone. Billy asked me to say a few words about my experience with cancer as it relates to a response of compassion from others. I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to say a few words of thanks for all the acts of sympathy which were showered on me and my wife as we have taken up the battle against cancer. And I do thank each of you for all your generous efforts on our behalf. There are a few individuals among the army of friends, relatives, colleagues, and even strangers whose actions went beyond the norm. Each and every response of compassion was equally treasured by my wife and I.

Anyone who is living with or has had a life threatening disease like cancer can tell you it is a humbling experience. You and your loved ones are forced to come to terms with mortality that may not be immediate but demands your real attention right now. I suppose one common reaction to cancer is to deny it and to keep it a secret and that was my reaction at first. But I realized it wouldn’t be long before people began to find out. I didn’t want rumors to get started so I decided to come clean and just broadcast the ugly facts to the world so the truth would be known as much as possible and we could all deal with it. That is why I started a web site to allow people to keep as informed as they wanted to be.

As I became more open about what was going on with me, I had no idea what was about to happen as a result. First and foremost, I was added to the prayer lists of individuals, groups, and churches locally and in other cities. We also received a stack of cards about a foot tall. That is a lot of cards. This was a huge response of compassion from an army of friends who were showing sympathy and concern for my wellbeing which was far beyond what I might have thought I deserved.

Another response of compassion was the food which was lovingly given to us not just once but many times over several weeks. Our co-workers took up a collection and sent us money – not just once but twice. Our colleagues filled in for us while we had to be away for my cancer treatments. Our neighbors took care of our house, raked leaves, kept an eye on things, and stocked our refrigerator when we got to come home. Life groups, friends, and neighbors gave us calling cards, WalMart cards, and a number of restaurant cards. This response of compassion was quite stunning to me at first because I didn’t feel I warranted such a generous response. I quickly grew to appreciate every action of kindness. It was and still is very good to know I am not alone in fighting the battle against cancer.

Day 56

They say time flys when you are having fun. Well, I'm past the half way point before my 100 day check-up. This was my first full week at work where I worked all day every day. I climbed up in a big crane Monday and my legs are still sore. It is amazing how much it takes away when you almost totally remove any kind of exercise from your life style for over nine weeks or so. My energy level has increased quite a bit over the last few weeks just from going to work all day.

Soldier Returns Home

I thought I might mention here that my son got to leave Iraq for a couple of weeks. He arrived home today. It just so happens my wife is good friends with one of the local TV news reporters who was at the airport doing a story about the same time my son arrived. I'm sure in the TV business one good story deserves another so the reporter turned the camera and microphone in my son's direction when he was walking into the airport from the plane. We were sitting in our living room getting ready to go eat while watching the five o'clock news and got to see the story the local TV news reporter captured earlier in the day. I wasn't able to be there so it was a special treat for me to see it too. We are so glad to have our son home for a visit. I am sure the time will be too short but it is sure good to see him again.