Stillwater Relay for Life Event is Right Around the Corner

The is a few short weeks away.

This year’s event is dedicated to our caregivers. As I looked the word up in the dictionary, it occurred to me that caregiver is a very vague term.

The definition in the dictionary is caregiver: a person who provides direct care for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill.

The reality is a caregiver is a support group, a tender loving hug, a drive to the doctor or shopping, a patient listening ear and many more terms. When a person receives the news that they have cancer their world changes in a moment. So many things go through their minds. What will happen to me, what will happen to my loved ones, what happens next and how will I get through this?

Years ago when my grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer it was kept quiet and no one would talk about it. I was very young and did not really understand what was going on.

She had no real support system and suffered through it by herself. When my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1977 that stigma was starting to disappear.

We were with him for doctor appointments, chemo appointments and he had friends to take him places.  When he passed away at St. John’s Hospice Center there were many loving, caring staff and volunteers that he never felt alone.

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As I fast forward to today and see how many support systems are in place I realize how fortunate we are. Today we have cancer-care specialists who will meet with you and your family, attend doctor visits with you and help arrange your treatment options. We have organizations like Lakeview Hospice who will care for you and do so much more. We have transportation groups who will make sure you get to your appointments.

Each and every one of these people are caregivers and are a cancer survivor’s lifeline. Also included in this group are people like you.

You may not realize it or not think of yourself as a caregiver but, chances are pretty good that you are. Many people are uncomfortable being praised for doing things we feel people should just do. Sometime we shrug off the thank you and say, “I was just doing what anyone would have done.”

That is not always true, and we do not always know what it means to someone going through this awful time.

At this year’s Relay event we are doing many things to honor our cancer survivors and our caregivers.  One of the things we are doing this year is selling Caregiver Luminary Bags. These bags will be Kiwi Green and as with our other Luminary Bags, you will be able to write a special message to someone.

Suggested cost is $10.00 per bag.

This is a great way to honor a caregiver who does so much and asks for nothing in return. We are asking survivors to invite the caregivers to the survivor reception with them.

This year’s reception theme is a Birthday Celebration. We invite all cancer survivors to attend our event and participate in these festivities. 

Paint the Town Purple is going on in the month of July in downtown Stillwater. Local businesses have joined in to help raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Stillwater.

There are poster displays throughout downtown. You can purchase a purple footprint for $1 to sign your name on or write a note to someone special. The footprints will be displayed throughout town.

The Ladies Night Out on July 12 will benefit the Relay.

A portion of the proceeds from that night will go toward the Relay for Life of Stillwater.  Ladies Night Out is from 5-8 p.m.

Please join us on Friday, Aug. 3 at for the start of the Relay.

The Relay runs until Saturday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. There are fun actives throughout the 24 hours for the whole family.

It is not too late to form or join a team.

For more information please contact Lois Raboin at 612-210-9948.