Relay for Life

Sometimes words just aren’t enough when expressing Thanks! This is one of those times. We had an AMAZING weekend at Relay for Life! For me, Relay for Life is not something that will be easily forgotten; partially because I can still barely walk, but mostly because of all of the LOVE from the event. I have added a new slide show to the right side with Relay pictures.

I started Team BRAT in late April and had never attended RFL (Relay for Life) before and had no idea how much I was in for. At the time that we started working on a team, I expected to have a team of about 13 people. We ended up with over 40 people who assisted with the event: 27 registered online, 6 registered day of, and 10+ people who just came to help out. Now THAT is LOVE!

At this point we have raised $8159.18 as a team; my first goal for the team was $3500. We can still accept donations through the month of July, so if you haven’t had a chance to reach out to your friends and family, there is still time. Included in this total is $138 from Sweet Tomatoes from donation night. Livermore Relay for Life started Saturday with just under $147,000. On Sunday morning, Relay for Life closed the event with a total of $191,156.55. That means that during Livermore RFL, we helped raise over $44,000. Congratulations!

What started out as a little distraction for me really turned quite grand! Our booth was awesome and who would have thought that selling the decorations would make more money than ice cream sales…especially when it is 104 degrees (that’s 40c for those of you north). Mom (Cherie) and Staci provided many of the decorations, ice and beverages. While Jenny helped with signs, recruiting volunteers, and provided a tent for us. Keith and I were at the event for the full 24 hours, but most only missed a few hours. Kelly, Josh, Kris, and Scott were killer sales people…”Gatorade! Ice Cold Gatorade!” Steve’s (my step-Dad) aunt and uncle donated 10 cases of water to our team, and I think I drank 3 of them myself. Jim and Bonnie McDonald brought their motorhome out and ran the A/C and generator for about 15 hours so that Barry could chill and have visitors. Grandma Bernice made the cool flags for our campsite, some BRAT hats, and aprons for our money. Grandma Alice and Grandpa Don were the most popular walkers…at 3am people were talking about how cute they are. We even had Edie, (3 time cancer survivor) fly in from Phoenix. The list goes on.

There were several people that just stopped by to say hi and make a donation. Dad really enjoyed every visitor. Even some of the guys that Dad worked with stopped by with their wives to say hello and show their support. It was an absolute joy meeting Jim and Jeff. Jeff shared a great story with me about how Barry dropped everything to help him out of a sticky situation one time. I had heard the story from Dad before, but it was very different hearing it from Jeff. He was so grateful for his expertise, calm attitude, and willingness to help.

If you add up Team BRAT’s time on the track, we put in about 74 hours. There was a lot of sweat and tears shed during that time…thankfully, no blood! Many of us participated in a study that will continue for the next several years in an effort to help with cancer prevention. I had tears in my eyes during the first lap (Survivor lap) and during the last lap that we walked as a team. 18 people walked the last lap in Team BRAT shirts. This was a true demonstration of Love, Support, Friendship, and Generosity.

I know that Relay for Life will be part of my life from this point forward. I signed a pledge where I made a commitment to continuing my fight against cancer. I will continue to give of myself in memory of those who have fought cancer. I will walk to honor those who have won the battle against cancer. I will provide support to those whose lives are affected by cancer. The mantra of RFL is “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back”. We did all 3 over the weekend.

I can’t seem to say it enough, but thank you all. I thank you for fighting. I thank you for donating. I thank you for walking. I thank you for helping. I thank you for not giving up.

Please keep up hope for each other and keep praying for each other.

Sending you my love!
Glen