Relay For Life of New Fairfield and covid-19

Cancer and Covid-19

If you have turned on the news, opened a paper or surfed your Facebook you have seen endless tales of Covid-19. It has completely flipped our lives around in the last 6 weeks and we are facing an unknown future. We do not know when we will be able to go back to our “normal” lives. There is no clear answer as to when schools will open or when we can hug our friends and loved ones again. There is so much to fear and so much unknown, but there is also a lot of good. Like Mr Rogers always said, when you are scared look for the Helpers. Between community members coming together (in spirit of course!) to sew masks and make ear heroes for essential personnel, to people shopping for their elderly or immunocompromised neighbors, to the Mobile Food bank at the Congregational Church to local restaurants reaching out. We are a mighty community and there is so much good coming out of such a tough time.

The feelings you are going through with the sudden change and the grief of losing the life you had reminds us of the journey of a Cancer Patient. For many, their lives are busy and filled with hugs until they hear those words “You Have Cancer.” Suddenly their life grinds to a halt and they are faced with an unseen attacker. So much fear, unknown, grief and isolation to name a few will run through their minds. We have to remain inside with a mask for a few months and then we will be able to “go back to normal.” Imagine experiencing this on a bigger scale and possibly for years.

This is why Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society do not stop fighting. During this time of the COVID-19 Crisis we are reminded of the vulnerability of our survivors. Even if you have been through treatment and are many years out, you can still be extremely prone to illness due to lack of lymph nodes, etc. The American Cancer Society knows this and is here to address this fact immediately. They have a 24/7 staffed hotline that you can call for COVID cancer specific information (800-227-2345) or you can check our cancer.org. There are facts, coping skills, program help and survivor stories. One such story is of Phyllis Alsterberg, a survivor of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma who has not left her house since the start of the pandemic aside from one very nerve wracking doctor's appointment. “Alsterberg says she’s coping with the coronavirus pandemic the same way she coped with her cancer diagnosis and treatment. “I went right back into survival mode. I’m keeping a positive outlook and I’m following my doctor’s directions. What happens from here is out of my control; it is what it is.”

You are at risk and we are here. We raise money for you but we also fight for you. Our event is more than a fun day or a way for corporations to make money. Relay For Life is a kindness movement. A time for ordinary people to help the fighters and make their voice heard. A cure… is priceless and that is what we fight for. Our 13th annual Community Event will take place June 6th from 1- 6 but it will be a little different. We will be having a 5 hour celebration of life, some fun and a virtual reminder of the power of community. Please, consider stopping by, on Facebook, Instagram or youtube and experience a fraction of the power that is Relay For Life. Sometimes your life is sent into a tailspin and the easy thing would be to throw in the towel; but not us. Our community does not back down from a challenge and we will overcome it! If you have questions or want to help Relay for Life or Cancer patients and need more information, email us: relay4lifenf@gmail.com

If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver and are in need of anything, email us! We will do our very best to get you what you need. We are in this together, we will beat this together!