8 days until Relay! Some may think we are nuts to walk through the night. But the following explains why we do it:
"Relay for Life is overnight because cancer never sleeps. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotion, and mental states of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.
The Relay begins when the sun is in the sky. This symbolizes the tie that the person has been diagnosed as having cancer. The day gets darker and this represents the cancer patient's state of mind as they feel that their life is coming to an end.
As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient does. The 1:00/2:00 a.m. hour represents the time when the cancer patient starts treatment. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As a participant, you have been walking and feel much the same way. You are tired, want to sleep, maybe even want to go home, but you cannot stop or give up.
The 4:00/5:00 a.m. hours represent the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again, they are tired, but they know they will make it.
The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient. As a participant, you will feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of Relay is close at hand.
When you leave Relay, think of the cancer patient leaving their last treatment. Just as you are exhausted and weak, so is that person after treatment.
Remember: There is no finish line until we find a cure.
No comments:
Post a Comment