Relay for Life a Moving Experience

Guest Blog by Kelly Brant

Henry Longfellow said, “The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.”

The Hero’s Journey team took Longfellow’s words to heart this past weekend as we took part in the annual Relay for Life. We came together to walk for 12 hours through the night in honour and in memory of our friends and family touched by cancer. The rain started early on Friday and stayed with us until about 9 p.m., as a result the field was soaked, as were we, but that didn’t stop us.

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never watched Dana dance in the rain. For those who know her, you know she brings an energy that very few can match and which touches everyone around her. We didn’t need umbrellas, we had Dana.

Susanne came out to the Relay for the Survivor’s reception; however, because of her cold and the rain she wasn’t able to stay for long. We missed her but understood that standing around wet was not the best thing for her.

St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, across the street from where the Relay is held, opened its doors for the night and served snacks and drinks to the participants and provided entertainment in the form of Bingo. Robyn, Marion and I took advantage of a dry place to sit and came away with a few prizes.

The highlight of the event is the luminary ceremony which was beautiful and moving. The track is lined with white paper bags each with a candle nestled inside. When they are lit, light encircles the field and participants celebrate the lives of those who have beaten cancer and mourn the loss of those who didn’t. It proves you can find light in even the darkest moments.

The lighting of the luminaries is very moving and it became overwhelming for my sister, so she, Marion and I walked a few laps around the track. While walking, I noticed many people bowed in prayer; others hugging one another in comfort. The tears were countless and love was tangible. We witnessed a father holding his young daughter while lighting a luminary which simply read, “In memory of Mom”. Another team was gathered around their luminaries with hands held and heads bowed.

In spite of the rain it was a successful event. The local Staples center had four teams participating in different relays throughout the city and as a whole raised $8014.55 for the Canadian Cancer Society.