Relay For Life.

Mariposa Relay For Life 2013

Summer of 2012 I was asked by my best guy friend's sister, if I would be interested in joining our local Relay For Life Committee. I wasn't sure at first. I've never been to one, or really knew what it all entailed. All I knew was that it was an event to raise awareness and money for the fight against cancer. About a week after being asked, I gladly accepted. I went to my first ever Relay For Life committee meeting. I found that it consisted of survives, caregivers, people that have/had someone close to them with cancer, and people that just wanted help fight for a great cause. Everyone was so nice, and passionate about what Relay For Life is all about. I have been involved ever since that first meeting. I am co-chair of the Luminaria committee. Luminaria, I have learned is a huge part of the actual Relay For Life event. It is a the Remembrance part of Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back of Relay. It is a ceremony that starts at sundown. It's a time to remember those lost to cancer. It is quiet and subdued. There is poems spoken, somber songs sung, a moment of silence, and as the Luminaria bags with the dedications written on them are displayed around the track and lighting the way for the walkers to walk the lap around, names of people taken from this earth from cancer are read aloud. I look forward to this day, in May. I feel that it is a wonderful cause to support. I have known cancer survivors and close family friends that have lost the battle against this horrid desease. 

In the last several months, I have gotten to know the other committee members better, and have become good friends with a couple of them. We as a group, a community, and fighters, have been busy raising money, and fighting back. Other than our monthly meetings, we've done a Relay Rally, which helps educate our community about what Relay For Life is all about. We've even went to Selma, California for a Relay For Life Summit. There, committees from all over the state join to learn, celebrate, and come together as one union to help the battle against cancer. There were more people than I expected. Had to have been a few hundred people there, give or take. The festivities were enjoyable, and uplifting. Music was playing, baked goods being auctioned off, raffles, car decorating contest (which my local committee won) and stories were shared with everyone, that told the journey of those who have fought the fight, that lived through it, and of those who sadly lost the fight. It was a great experience going and being involved in such a large function. 

For the first time ever, a few of the committee members for Mariposa, arranged a fundraiser that included pictures with Santa Claus. My committee came together and worked hard at creating a Christmas living room scene, for people to bring in their children and/or pets to have their pictures taken with Santa Claus. Members not only volunteered their time to help with the three weekend long event, but we donated supplies to bring life to an empty donated space. The turn out was amazing, and so much so, that we want it to be a yearly activity. Also during this time, our town had it's annual Christmas Light Parade. Relay For Life once again came together and constructed a beautiful float. Our float won 1st in Best Float, and 2nd Overall. It was, again, a great experience to be a part of. 

Now that Valentine's Day is approaching, my local Relay For Life Committee is forming another fundraiser. We are putting together flowers and selling them as Valentine's gifts. We also have Paint The Town Purple coming up in the beginning of May, The Butterfly Parade in May, and than May 18th and 19th is when our Relay For Life Event takes place. I look forward to each and every event, get together, meeting, and experience. It is an amazing feeling, knowing that you are helping such an important cause. I am proud to call myself a Purple Fighter, Relay For Life Member, and volunteer.