Relay For Life

Recently Participated in Relay for Life in Huntington, IN. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been motivated to get involved, raise money, volunteer, etc because of little Layla Grace.

I was feeling like I had to do SOMETHING, and just at the right moment, I got an email from my sister-in-law Lindsey. She was asking for donations for her relay. She was the captain of a team in Huntington, IN. She got motivated when her dad (my FIL) was diagnosed with cancer a couple years ago. I asked how I could participate and so the journey began.

I made a goal to raise $200. I thought since I was participating from a distance, this was doable. I made my goal with the help of friends and family through on-line donations!

Then came the relay. It was a lot of fun. Super hot though. And stormy. We managed to get 20 laps in. We started actually walking at about 12am? During the day it was too hot and there were too many goings on. We finished at 2:30 (with several breaks in between).

I got to know my SIL much better.

On a side note, I got to see my in-laws new home and it's GORGEOUS! I also got to see Lindsey's new vegetable garden (see my next post).

Here's some pics from the relay:

All of us waiting in the stands ('cept for Jonathan and John)

Survivor's lap with Cris (caregiver) right before all of the family could join. They were right out front! Well, there was a couple way ahead of the pack...

Gillian and my neice KK after the relay. There was a lot of baked goods left over so they perused the neighborhood. They made over $50 in about 4-6 hours! Good job girls!

I did relay for life to honor all of those that have been taken by this disease, those that have beaten it and to help prevent the rest of us from being attacked by it. I list below the members of my family and friends that have survived or perished because of cancer:

Loved ones lost:

Aunt Barbara

Uncle Sean

Jonathan's Grandpa

Survivors:

My mother Elizabeth

My father-in-law John

Aunt Joanie

Uncle Jimmy

Grandma Lauver (RIP)

I know I have not listed all. I know so many friends and extended famly members have mentioned thier loved ones.

I pray that cancer is beaten someday. I pray for the families who have hurt because of someone lost to this nasty disease and I pray for the little ones who know nothing more than a hospital bed, medicine and iv's.