Marquette University held its Relay for Life event this weekend. From 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. my team, the Mashudasaurus Rexes, and I joined hundreds of people in relaying around the track at Helfaer Rec Center.
Saturday night was full of laughter, fun and tears. It was an emotional roller coaster to say the least. The event began with an opening ceremony. People shared their stories of either having cancer or caring for someone that does. Afterward, the survivors, caretakers and participants began to walk laps.
Relayers were not required to walk for eight straight hours. However, it was recommended that at least one member from each team stayed on the track throughout the night. There were activities throughout the gym – root beer pong, bean bag toss, Twister and a relay race – for when participants needed a break from walking. The Naturals, Gold 'n Blues, Pure Dance Marquette and Hype also performed at the event.
One of the major events during Relay is the Luminaria ceremony. The track is lined with candlelit bags adorned with the names of those who are either battling or lost their lives to cancer. All the lights are turned off and silent laps are taken as the names of those on each bag are read. The extent to which cancer affects people's lives is not put into perspective until this ceremony. It seemed as if the list of names went on forever. And those were only for the people being remembered by someone at Marquette's relay. Name after name, another reminder of a life that had been turned upside down by such a horrible disease. It was something that I could not have done alone. I walked hand in hand with my team members – at times shedding tears – as we recognized each and every person affected.
We have all been affected by cancer in some way. I am no exception. My grandma died in 2008 after battling a malignant brain tumor. The day I first learned of her diagnosis is still vivid in my memory. We were aware that she was not going to beat the cancer. The treatment was only prolonging the inevitable. Watching someone you love struggle with everyday activities – eating, talking and moving – is never easy. You can try your hardest to help them, but it still does not take away the pain they are experiencing. She died peacefully at the rehabilitation center surrounded by her six children. They even broke out her favorite drink and toasted their mother one last time before she passed away.
Life goes on even when loved ones are not there to share it with you. Although there has always been something missing since my grandma died, I still hold closely the memories we shared – especially those of Christmas Eve when my aunts, uncles and cousins all gathered at her house to open presents.
Simply put, cancer sucks. Everybody at the event had a story to share. We all gathered to help celebrate the lives of those who have been affected by cancer. Relay for Life was one of the most rewarding experience I have ever been a part of. I encourage everybody who has the opportunity to participate in it at least once in their life. Even if you do not know anybody that has been affected by cancer, chances are someone you know does. Being there to support them means more than you will ever know.
Cancer does not discriminate. It affects every age, gender and race. We will never know why some lives are cut shorter than others. I relayed for my grandma and friend that lost their lives to cancer. More than $60,000 was raised and will be donated to help ending cancer so that one day people will no longer have to hear the words "you have cancer." This weekend hundreds of people at Marquette took a small step toward ending cancer, a disease that has changed so many lives. Together, we made a difference.
Saturday night was full of laughter, fun and tears. It was an emotional roller coaster to say the least. The event began with an opening ceremony. People shared their stories of either having cancer or caring for someone that does. Afterward, the survivors, caretakers and participants began to walk laps.
Relayers were not required to walk for eight straight hours. However, it was recommended that at least one member from each team stayed on the track throughout the night. There were activities throughout the gym – root beer pong, bean bag toss, Twister and a relay race – for when participants needed a break from walking. The Naturals, Gold 'n Blues, Pure Dance Marquette and Hype also performed at the event.
One of the major events during Relay is the Luminaria ceremony. The track is lined with candlelit bags adorned with the names of those who are either battling or lost their lives to cancer. All the lights are turned off and silent laps are taken as the names of those on each bag are read. The extent to which cancer affects people's lives is not put into perspective until this ceremony. It seemed as if the list of names went on forever. And those were only for the people being remembered by someone at Marquette's relay. Name after name, another reminder of a life that had been turned upside down by such a horrible disease. It was something that I could not have done alone. I walked hand in hand with my team members – at times shedding tears – as we recognized each and every person affected.
We have all been affected by cancer in some way. I am no exception. My grandma died in 2008 after battling a malignant brain tumor. The day I first learned of her diagnosis is still vivid in my memory. We were aware that she was not going to beat the cancer. The treatment was only prolonging the inevitable. Watching someone you love struggle with everyday activities – eating, talking and moving – is never easy. You can try your hardest to help them, but it still does not take away the pain they are experiencing. She died peacefully at the rehabilitation center surrounded by her six children. They even broke out her favorite drink and toasted their mother one last time before she passed away.
Life goes on even when loved ones are not there to share it with you. Although there has always been something missing since my grandma died, I still hold closely the memories we shared – especially those of Christmas Eve when my aunts, uncles and cousins all gathered at her house to open presents.
Simply put, cancer sucks. Everybody at the event had a story to share. We all gathered to help celebrate the lives of those who have been affected by cancer. Relay for Life was one of the most rewarding experience I have ever been a part of. I encourage everybody who has the opportunity to participate in it at least once in their life. Even if you do not know anybody that has been affected by cancer, chances are someone you know does. Being there to support them means more than you will ever know.
Cancer does not discriminate. It affects every age, gender and race. We will never know why some lives are cut shorter than others. I relayed for my grandma and friend that lost their lives to cancer. More than $60,000 was raised and will be donated to help ending cancer so that one day people will no longer have to hear the words "you have cancer." This weekend hundreds of people at Marquette took a small step toward ending cancer, a disease that has changed so many lives. Together, we made a difference.