As we drove in the car I chatted to the kids about where we were going and what an amazing thing we were about to do. We were hyped up and a little unsure about what to expect. I could never have imagined how meaningful and fun the next 18 hours would be.
It was a smidge after 4pm as we wove our way through the crowds on the busy athletics track, searching for our own Relay for Life team.
Relay For Life is a fundraising event that brings communities together to celebrate and remember the lives of those who have battled cancer. The relay is not about being the fastest, the fittest or walking the longest. It is about raising money for the Cancer Council through the generosity of donations, sponsorship and the sale of items before, during and after the event. All to fund cancer research, support services and education programs.
I noticed a group of familiar faces and headed on over. Our team was made up of members of our school community. I quickly looked around greeting the many parents, children and teachers who had gathered as part of the team. I felt a rich buzz of excitement and noticed the beaming smiles on the faces of everyone.
Kids and adults alike were dressing in fairy wings and Dr Seuss style hats. Here to have fabulous fun while raising money.
The relay required team members to take turns carrying a baton while moving around the track, for a staggering 18 hours straight. I went in search of our baton and was delighted to find a wonderful group of Year 6 girls laughing, skipping and dancing down the track as they happily passed the baton to each other.
They posed for my photo and I left them to enjoy their fun in the sun, while I continued to walk the track.
I walked slowly and observantly and began to notice the many different team names, the signs people carried and the photos of loved ones on T-Shirts and posters. I felt the whoosh as the runners flew by on the inside lane. I walked beside prams, wheelchairs, the elderly and the very young. All of us smiling, laughing and extremely grateful to be here in this moment, on this day and to be healthy enough in our bodies to able to walk around this track.
Then I spotted my own daughter. My heart surged with pride as I watched her smiling and chatting. We were here as a family, as well as a team, and as I watched her walking lap after lap, supporting this cause I could never imagine being more fulfilled as a parent.
My little relayers happily walked late into the night.
As the sun drifted beneath the horizon I felt the mood of the event shift. One of the most moving parts of the relay was approaching, The Candle Light Ceremony. One by one I noticed paper bags placed around the edge of the track. Each one with a heartfelt message, maybe a drawing and possibly a photo. Each one a tribute to a very special person. Each one a reminder of why we were here.
Then as the darkness swallowed the track all the teams gathered together for the lighting of three candles.
The first to represent the past, and all those who have lost their fight.
The second to represent the present and those who have survived and those who are currently fighting their battle.
Finally the candle for the future and for the hope that was alive in each of us that night.
As the lights were turned out I looked across the track and there was the word spelled out with candles. H O P E
One by one we all now made our way back onto the track for one very solemn lap.
A track now illuminated by the hundreds of messages adorning the candle bags.
As 10am came and the relay drew to a close, the weary teams gathered to celebrate their success.
Exhausted and elated knowing we had all fought back.
I would like to thank my wonderful friend, and our team leader Nadia, for being an inspiring and driving force behind our team. It was a fitting tribute to her hard work that we won The Spirit of the Relay award.
Finally a huge thank you to the overnight team and in particular Nadia and Kelly who kept that baton moving while I slept in my bed.
In the words of my team
We don’t like cancer here or there.
We don’t like cancer anywhere.
Until next year.
Wow Karen…. So beautifully written from the heart!!! I was constantly wiping away the tears reading your journey!! I lost my dad 5 years ago to cancer and my mum is a breast cancer survivor… I was unfortunate not to be able to take part in this event as I have a take away which is very demanding, but I will make sure I do so next year!!!
Val thank you for your wonderful comment it means a lot to me as I had hoped my writing would reach those who were relaying in spirit and unable to be there on the day. Cancer is reaching into everyones lives and I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you again for taking the time to comment.
Karen, what a beautiful summary of such a special weekend. Relay For Life will always be important for me… and I will continue to relay in memory of my mum who passed away from pancreatic cancer last year. I’m so glad you could be in our team, and that you understand my passion for this cause. xxx
Nadia your passion lights the way for everyone around you and made it easy for someone like me to get behind the cause. Thank you and I will be on the track again next year.
Karen,
Your summary was wonderful to read. It was a great seeing the Knox School participate in this great event and chat with the teachers and parents during the relay.
I have been part of 2 previous relays at Croydon and bumping into Phil Matthews a month ago, (an previous tennis coaching parent), this was rewarding opportunity to involve Velocity Tennis.
I have a wide circle of kids and parents in tennis coaching. More and more kids I know are getting sick, chronic degenerative diseases, like cancer. More and more parents are getting cancer.
As was stated at the candle light ceremony. Unfortunately, Cancer is winning the battle. This is so sad.
I wholly believe, what we eat and what we put onto our skin can reduce the CAUSE of cancer.
Finding CURES to cancer is great, but fixing the CAUSE is more important.
Education on good healthy food choices, science based nutrition and exercise will fight the CAUSE to cancer.
My goal is to educate and empower the kids of today to eat healthy, make them understand the long term side effects of body cell oxidation and inflammation while also recommending they increase their nutritional requirements through pharmaceutical grade science based supplementation.
Gary it is incredibly sad to think cancer is winning the battle. How to make healthy food choices and enjoy exercise, what a wonderful message you are taking to the children you teach. I can tell how passionate you are and wish you much success.
We don’t like it here either. A very close family member has cancer right now, as well as a close friend. It’s truly a difficult thing to watch. It seems like there is an unusually high amount of breast cancer in my area, which is a little nerve wracking.
Michelle it is an awful disease and makes its way into so many lives. Thoughts are with your friend and family.