Thank You, from a Survivor

My wife signed up for the Relay for Life with the Kingman Curvaceous Ladies,

walking in honor of my Mother, Bernice Fessenden, a five year breast cancer

survivor, and myself, a two and a half year survivor of colon cancer.

When my wife signed up she and I had only heard of the Relay and did not

know much about what it meant. As I helped my wife with spreading the word

and asking for donations I learned a lot.

I found that people everywhere were willing to extend their generosity to this wonderful cause. I met people in several states that were not only willing to donate on behalf of my wife, but many who participate in the Relay in their own town. Thank You.

I travel for a living and was not sure that I would be in town for the Relay. I was interested in participating and figured that I could just join my wife and her team throughout the night if I was home. Due to a job that cancelled I was able to make the Relay and decided that I would register and walk as well.

Having dealt with cancer first hand I knew who the American Cancer Society was, and was aware of all the wonderful help and research that they do, but after participating in the Relay I am truly blessed by seeing what level of support there really is. Thank You.

The Relay started off with an opening ceremony that included the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and a touching speech from a survivor, followed by a Survivors Lap, where all of the survivors dressed in purple shirts and their caregivers in white, started around the track in opposite directions. I was amazed to see the number of purple shirts. Wow! I knew that cancer affected millions of people but I never realized the true impact until seeing all of the survivors at this event. The caregivers met the survivors at the opposite side of the track where each of us released balloons into the sky.

It was a very touching moment to walk around the track with all of the survivors, being cheered on by every person along the track and the side lines. My heart raced as we neared the crowd of caregivers at the other side, knowing that they are one of the main reasons that we as survivors are here today.

Without their support and love there are many of us that would not have made it this far. When you really think about it, CAREGIVERS are survivors too. Thank You.

After the Survivors Lap we were given the opportunity to eat and have some cake. My wife and I were joined at the table by a couple of folks that work at the Cancer Center. I ask one of them how they do it. How do they get up and go to work each day, knowing what they will have to face? The answer was short and simple. “It’s a Passion.”

If it wasn’t for that passion and the people that have it, there would not be near the number of survivors there are. There are real heroes in life, and now I realize who they are. Thank You.

After the Survivor Lap the teams started making laps around the track. There were hundreds of people participating in the Relay. I was particularly surprised to see the number of youths involved. It was refreshing to see that they had given up a beautiful Saturday night to participate in the Relay. Thank You.

After dark the lights were turned off and there was a Ceremony of Hope, which included a touching speech from a Caregiver. There was an awesome glow of the luminaria that lined the track, each having their own special meaning, some celebrate survivorship, some commemorating lives of those lost to this disease, but all representing someone that has been affected by cancer and the family and friends that are touched by the experience.

On the East side bleachers there was the glow coming from the word LIFE made from luminaria, on the West side bleachers the word HOPE was lit letter by letter as the speaker narrated the meaning. After the word HOPE was fully lit the luminaria were rearranged to read CURE. It was truly fitting since the biggest hope is for a cure.

After the Ceremony of Hope the teams walked 2 laps in darkness and silence. This was difficult for me. It gave me a time to reflect what I had seen and heard so far during the evening. It brought back memories of what a terrible battle cancer is. I know there were several times that I had to wipe a tear from my eyes during these laps; however I know that I was not alone.

As the night progressed it began to get damp and cold and although the number of people on the track started to get smaller there was still a feverish dedication to the cause. The Starbucks Coffee team had said that they were going to stay the night and hoped that they would be able to continue to provide free hot coffee throughout. They had planned on making one final trip to their store at closing time to brew coffee for the entire night, instead their teammates made several trips back to the store after more coffee when they discovered that they were the source of warmth around the track. Thank You.

Most of the teams started the evening off with sales of items ranging from baked goods, energy snacks, and beverages to glow necklaces, bracelets, and bubbles as well as many raffles with nice prizes. All of the money from the sales was to increase the team’s donation. During the later part of the night as you were going around the field you noticed teams had started giving their drinks and snacks away to the dedicated walkers.

It was nice to see the involvement of the community and national teams. Your support was beneficial to keep the Relay moving. Thank You.

The Relay ended early in the morning. Although the number of walkers had diminished to a few there was still representation from every team on the field. It was a joy to see the sun come up over the mountains. The sun reminded me that on every new day there are new battles to face. It also made me think of how many new survivors there will and can be, with the continued support of everyone that touches the Relay for Life.

For all of those that dedicate their time, the sponsors, the organizers, those who make donations, the relay walkers and teams, the Caregivers, Survivors, medical and professional personnel. Thank you all.

Thank you,

Roger Fessenden

Survivor

Lifetime walker in The Relay for Life

Until a cure is found, may feet continue to sound

Walking for the fight, continuously through the night