Hi there!  I have to tell you, there is a group of super-charged volunteers in the Mid-South that just blew my socks off this weekend.  As part of the Nationwide Leadership Training Team, I'm priviledged to visit other divisions and support their training efforts.  I just wanted to say that these guys get it, and I know they'll do everything they can to take it to the next level and all become $500k events. 

One thing that came out of discussions was the Fight Back ceremony and the need to integrate mission year-round.  How can we expect Relayers to take the pledge at the end of our events if they don't know how/what they can do to fight back?  Remember as we move ahead with this new and exciting ceremony to equip your Relayers with the knowledge needed to make this ceremony truly powerful. 

Our youth from Floyd Chapel Baptist Church in Stockbridge Participated all night. We were able to raise over $800 for the cause. It was a blessing to share in this experience. The activity that impacted me the most was the lighting of the candles. Then to witness them burning out, as if to testify that someone's light once shined brightly as they lived, then the cancer took their light away. But the wax that remained reminded us that their would always be evidence that they LIVED! The person is gone but their memeory lives on in us.

Susan Edwards

After a horrific battle with Cancer, Gram came to the end of the road on February 12th, 2008, just 3 days before my 29th birthday. She and I were very close, but I have no regrets. I made my peace with her, said my goodbyes, told her how much I loved her and would miss her....

She passed around 1:30 in the morning in her home, going quietly in her sleep. While I mourn never seeing her again, holding her hand or hearing her voice, I am so thankful I had the chance to know and love her as I did.

Now comes the part of grief I have never quite understood. The part where you learn to live again after all the heartache and the memories. The part where you can smile through your tears and say I am a better person because of her, because I am.

This year I vow to use my grief as a propeller, to move me forward into the fight, to force me forward as I have never been motivated to fight before. No one should have to watch someone they love die in such a way. Cancer is a horrible, faceless monster, and I am glad to say her monster died with her.

We have had to schedule our dinner "outside" this year just prior to the start of the event. The dinner chair worried about it not being special since it's outside..does anyone have ideas of how to do it .  Of course , we do the medals to the survivors and survivors lap.

Thanks!

My Reason to Relay is in honor of a wonderful young man named Kyle Smith who was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumor in January 2006. Kyle fought a very brave battle and although cancer took his life September 19, 2007, Kyle left a lifelong mark on all those who knew him.

Kyle was an amazing young man who loved life to the fullest even during the darkest times. Kyle spoke about his personal battle with cancer at a Relay for Life event at Grand Valley State University in April 2007 where he hoped to influence people to stand up for the cause. I am here now (along with the entire Team Smitty) to do as he dreamed!

We love you Kyle!