Relays and Walks: Which Events and When?

A few nights ago while interacting on twitter with people who are planning on walking the Susan G Komen 60 mile walk in October and others who are doing the shorter Making Strides Against Cancer walk, I was asked about attending the Relay for Life in Frederick Maryland on May 16th.

But to tell the truth I honestly knew nothing about the Relay for Life other than having heard the name.

Let's face it - I'm not alone. A lot of us know people who walk for various causes. Sometimes we "pledge" to help them. We give our x amount per mile or write a check. But do we really understand what they're doing?

After talking with remarkable women who will be walking for the Komen foundation and others that will be doing American Cancer Society events I wanted to know more.

I've only got so much energy to devote to going to events or supporting them in other ways and I wondered. What would make us pick one over another? And if someone participates in an American Cancer Society events instead of an event aimed solely at breast cancer should we feel like we're not making a difference for MY kind of cancer?

Truth be told, I believe that research in any area will benefit cancer victims across all areas, but beyond that I was surprised with what I learned.

In fact it is Breast cancer that's the number one reason people call the American Cancer Society. It has a presence in more than 3,400 communities across the country and is the only organization available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help people touched by cancer.

OK, I thought, then I don't have to feel as if Avon and Susan G Komen are the only "walking" groups who fund breast cancer research and patient support. So if I'm interested in another one are there even more options?

More Googling later I'd found out that "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a noncompetitive"- and traditionally relatively short 5 mile walk "to help fight breast cancer." So what's not to love about that? It's held in cities all over the country and is a sea of wall to wall pink shirts, ribbons, sneakers and more.

But there are other options including one with a touch of the ceremonial. The Relay For Life ^® events also sponsored by the American Cancer Society includes teams of people who gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. These are held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps. I like the symbolism of that.

And through the survivors' lap and the luminaria ceremony, people who have faced cancer are honored and those who have been lost to this cancer are remembered. The emotion of that might not be something I could get though easily but I can see the appeal of laps, taking turns, helping each other.

So in addition to attending the TWO DC walks in which my friends are participating to help raise money for research (woot!) I'll try to at least get to the Frederick event on May 16th and one of the smaller events closer to home

In addition to the event in Frederick, local events include these. I've got a lot to chose from and I admire these people so much.

Will you be at one of these or another event? Let me know about it. I'm behind you all the way.

1. Relay For Life of Vienna

2. Relay For Life of NVCC

3. Relay For Life of George Mason University

4. Relay For Life of Falls Church

5. Relay For Life of Reston

6. Relay For Life of Herndon

7. Relay For Life of Arlington

8. Relay For Life of Eastern Loudoun County

9. Relay For Life of American University/George Washington University

10. Relay For Life of Georgetown University

 

Link: Find Relay Events | RelayForLife.org.

Comments

[Bob Carney (gotbob)]

Susan, I can't believe how powerful twitter has been...

I am a firm believer that one way of kicking cancer's ass is to stare in the face and laugh. You are an amazing woman to bring us in to your world and share your journey. So many let this beast get the best of them. You don't know how many people your are helping with your strength.

If it wasn't for my curiosity about PEAS on Twitter...Our paths would not have crossed. I hope you are up to walk on the 16th...I am looking forward to meeting you in person.

[Susan Reynolds]

Bob,
Thanks to YOU for the amazing feedback on twitter about what's happening in Frederick. Although I doubt I'll walk the minimum that I can do is show up and show my support for what you're doing.

It's a wonderful small world and without the remarkable adoption of the frozen twitter peas not only would we have not crossed paths but I'd not have gotten this excuse to come back to Frederick where I lived and worked in the mid seventies when it was just beginning to pop!

Let's see how many other tweeters we can get together for such a good cause. Might it be the first fund-raising related tweet-up? Can't beat that for good karma.

[Bob Carney]

You won't have to walk but one lap with all the survivors...early in the evening. The rest of us get to walk all night. :)

I already have a team created "Long & Prosper"...But, I would be very impressed if a "Team Twitter" shows up or even a "Frozen Peas Team" was created.

[Laurie Frey]

Good evening, Susan! I just received your link from Bob Carney...and we would LOVE to have you come to our Relay in Frederick! We also have another Frederick County Relay...Relay For Life of Urbana (www.RFLUrbana.org), if you'd like to add that one to the list!

We traditionally hold a Survivor/Caregiver Reception the night of Relay as well...a time to pay tribute to you folks who, by your example of fortitude, give US, the volunteers and staff of the American Cancer Society, the strength to keep working toward a cure for cancer.

Nearly everyone I meet has some connection with cancer--whether they are a survivor themselves, or have a family member or friend who has fought this battle. I became involved in Relay because my husband has 5 sisters and 3 have been diagnosed with breast cancer...the eldest just passed away in October after a valient 12-year battle. She was strong, optimistic and determined...and the cancer is NOT what took her life. Septicemia secondary to cancer did. She was a true role model...and I view you to be of the same caliber!

Although my connection is strongest to breast cancer, I know so many who have been touched by prostate cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer...some cancers whose names are so long and that are so uncommon that they are neither pronounceable or recognizable! Everyone's battle with cancer is terrifying...we all are fighting separate battles in the same war.

But there is strength in numbers and together we CAN and WILL win the war...one battle at a time! So keep walking for any and all causes! Thanks for shedding light on ALL of them...and especially for those closest to my heart..Strides and Relay!

Happy New Year! May it be one of health, faith, optimism, hope and healing!

[Barbara]

Hi Susan -- Sorry we have cancer in common, but thanks for promoting R4L and other info on your blog. - Barbara

[David Neff]

Hey Susan,
This is David Neff over at the American Cancer Society. Thanks so much for speaking so positive about your experience with us. I know choosing the right non-profit and the right fundraiser is a hard thing to do. Do you support the museum walk or the Zoo 5K? Which benefits the right people more? These are all hard questions and I appreciate you talking about it with your readers.

Thanks,
David Neff

[Randal Mos]

Susan thanks for highlighting not only the ACS's Marking Strides walk but also Relay For Life. As a technology person you would be impressed with Relayforlife.org - it is a social network for Relay folks where we all share our stories, support each other and also exchange ideas about all things Relay. It is a great resource!