Hope

June 6-7, 2008 I participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for the second year in a row. I must admit, I wasn't as enthusiastic about participating this year as I was last year--and I suspect my teammates may have noticed. But despite the cold and the wet and the horrendous KISS tribute band and the discomfort of sleeping on the ground in the midle of a track at a Junior High School I was glad to have been there.

The event always begins with a Survivor's Lap around the track. I don't remember noticing this before, but it was really eye-opening for me this year to see what a range of ages the survivors were--from very young children to senior citizens.

At 10 p.m. a video slideshow was presented which was made up of photos of participants and loved ones of participants--both survivors of cancer and those lost to cancer--interspersed with poems and song lyrics. Although I didn't submit any photos myself of family memebers who've had cancer I was really touched to think how much some of these people were missed--or how glad loved ones were that they were still around.

We spent the rest of the night taking turns walking/jogging around the Orem Junior High shcool track lined on either side by luminaries decorated in honor of or in memory of cancer survivors and victims.

...and visible from almost any spot on the track was this simple sign in made in the chainlink fence with plastic cups and battery operated tealights...

...reminding all that there is hope for a normal healthy life, for better treatment and cures thanks to the collective efforts of many ordinary individuals...

...for those who have lost the battle with cancer there is hope for reunion with family and loved ones, for a perfected body and freedom from illness through the sacrifice of One.