Last night was our Survivor's Reception.  Although the turnout was less than last year, it was a great success. 

CELEBRATE. 

We celebrated the surivivors and caregivers by recognizing them with a small token.  With her mother by her side, Cassie Gunter shared her story about her battle with cancer.  Cassie was followed by her mother who told us the story from a caregiver's perspective.  Truly an amazing and inspriational story!

REMEMBER. 

A mini-luminaria ceremony would honor those who have battled cancer and remember those who we have lost.  The ceremony would be closed with a song sung by David Bond.

FIGHT BACK.

The mini-Fight Back ceremony was adapted specifically for the Survivors Reception.  The center pieces on the tables were Relay For Life^® buckets with the FIGHT BACK flags placed in them.  Everyone was told the flags on the tables all represent one person who will be diagnosed with cancer in Atwater this year.  They were then given suggestions on ways they can save a life and FIGHT BACK.  To close the ceremony, everyone was asked to make the pledge to FIGHT BACK by taking a flag and waving it high.  The committee then spread throughout the room with FIGHT BACK pledge cards. 

The most exciting moment during the reception was when I asked everyone to save a life and make a pledge with me.  Immediately I saw almost every hand in the room reach for a FIGHT BACK flag.  Atwater is taking up the challenge and will FIGHT BACK!

Visit the 2008 Atwater Survivors Reception photo album by going to:

http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=79427

Here is a copy of my FIGHT BACK speech*:

Again, my name is Ted Torres, your Mission Delivery chair for the 2008 Relay For Life^®.

We all come to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life^® from different walks of life with one goal in mind:  to FIGHT BACK against cancer!  "We are here so that those who face cancer will be supported, that those who have lost their battle will not be forgotten and that, one day, cancer will be eliminated."  That is the essence of CELEBRATE. REMEMBER. FIGHT BACK.

The flags you see here each represent one person.  They represent one person in Atwater who will hear the words, "You have cancer."  Before the end of 2008, it is projected 750 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Merced County.  750 people whose lives will be forever changed.  750 families who will be forever changed.

You can make a difference!  You can FIGHT BACK!  By fighting back we can reduce the numbers of our family and friend who are diagnosed with cancer.  Today, before you and with this flag, I make a pledge to FIGHT BACK!  I pledge to continue my volunteer efforts with the American Cancer Society in raising awareness.  Join me and FIGHT BACK!

Here are some easy ways you can FIGHT BACK!

• Join us at the Atwater Relay For Life^® on September 27th and walk in the Survivors or Caregivers lap.
• Become a team captain and start your own team.
• Join an existing team.
• Visit the RelayForLife.org website and share your story.
• Join the Relay For Life^® planning committee.
• Make a donation or become a sponsor.
• Volunteer for American Cancer Society Programs such as the Road to Recovery or Reach To Recovery programs.
• Get involved.

These are not the only ways you can FIGHT BACK.  You can FIGHT BACK by simply:

• deciding to get a mammogram or colonoscopy.
• encouranging young children to eat fruit instead of candy.
• deciding to walk 15 minutes 3 times a week.
• eating healthier.

If you would like to make a pledge to save a life and FIGHT BACK, please take a flag off the table and raise it high.  A member of the committee will bring you a pledge card to fill out. 

Together we can make a difference and save lives.

*Note:  The copy of my speech is taken from my notes and the best of my recollection of what was actually said.