Relay For Life Season Is Upon Us...

When my mother lost her battle to breast cancer in 2008, I swore I would do everything I could to bring an end to the deadly disease. So, each year I join more than 3 million people, in 20 different countries, to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The annual Relay For Life events are some of the most "moving" fundraisers you’ll find, literally. Participants put on their walking shoes and hit the track for an overnight tribute to those who have lost the battle to cancer and the thousands who are still fighting it. Since its birth in 1985, the Relay for Life has raised more than $3.86 billion for cancer research.

Each Relay is unique in its own special way; however there are certain traditions that take place at them all:

Celebrate

The opening ceremonies kick off with the survivor’s lap, in which hundreds of cancer survivors of all ages make the first trip around the track. Just watching this will fill you with emotions and motivation to continue the fight!

Remember

Shortly after nightfall, a luminaria ceremony honors all who have been touched by the disease. A candle is lit inside a small paper sack bearing the name of an individual who has survived, continues to battle, or lost their life to cancer.

Fight Back

The Relay also includes a fight back ceremony where participants make a personal commitment to defeating cancer. This may include giving up smoking, getting regular checkups, or lobbying elected officials to pass cancer related legislation.

Although the goal of the Relay is to raise funds for research, donating money isn’t the only way you can help out. Putting on such a successful event takes a team of hardworking volunteers. You can donate your time either by helping out the night of Relay or by becoming a member of the planning committee. No matter how you choose to get involved, I promise you’ll be glad to have joined the worldwide movement to end cancer!

The Relay For Life of Southern Dallas County is June 8th, 2013 at Waukee Stadium. For more information or to form a team visit www.relayforlife.org/southerndallascountyia.