An Introduction to Fight Back 

I know many of you have heard about a new ceremony which may take place at your Relay this year. Maybe you have already participated in a Fight Back ceremony and made your pledge to save a life.  You may be wondering why a new ceremony was created in the first place?  Let me give you some background. 

As most of you know, Relay For Life has always been about celebrating, remembering, and fighting back.  At every Relay, we already do a great job of celebrating survivorship and the hope that one day cancer will be eliminated.   We also do a great job of remembering loved ones we have lost to the disease.  Both of these emotionally charged elements of Relay are visually symbolized through our Survivors Lap and the Luminaria Ceremony.  Through Relay and these emotional experiences, we have built an army of people – just like you - ready to take action.  Relayers want to do more!  And while raising money through Relay is critically important, we know it is not the only way to save lives.   [Click on Read More to continue with this post.]

This is where the Fight Back Ceremony comes in.  The Fight Back Ceremony is a visually symbolic moment during Relay which can inspire participants to take action in the fight against cancer.  The actions taken represent what an individual is willing to do - for themselves, their loved ones, and for their community – to save a life.   Fighting back against cancer can be very personal and simple such as choosing to live a healthier lifestyle by eating more fruits and vegetables and engaging in regular exercise.  It could be as simple as wearing sunscreen or ensuring your children wear sunscreen.  Fighting back may be becoming an ACS CAN member and making legislative activity the focus of your action. 

What ever the action someone takes, we hope your Fight Back ceremony will be an exciting and moving experience.  We hope this ceremony becomes THE symbolic moment during your event which inspires participants in your community to make THAT pledge, take THAT action and Fight Back against a disease that has already taken too much. 

This blog was created to promote the exchange of ideas around Fighting Back.  Each entry will focus on a certain area of Fight Back and end with a question.  We encourage your feedback and comments.  You are our eyes and ears – you are a tremendous resource to other communities who are introducing Fight Back ceremonies at their events.  

Please take a moment and let us know what you believe your Fight Back ceremony will represent in your community and at your event. 

Thank you!