Heads up for Relay for LIFE

[wood-n-things]

I hope this is the right area. If not feel free to move it or if it is inappropriate content remove it. No hard feelings.

First let me say I'm not soliciting any donations, nor sponsorships for myself.

I just want to point out, it is that time of year for your local area Relay for Life.

What is RELAY FOR LIFE?
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people to:

* Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.
* Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.
* Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.

For further information on the event, please visit RelayForLife.org.

Since I'm about to become (on the 15th of MAY) a survivor, this project is near and dear to me.

Once again Please understand I'm not looking for anything..Just asking that if you have the time and can participate. Either by doing or donating or just showing up and giving your support by being there at your local event, do it!

You never know Cancer crosses every gender, denomination, age and race line. Show your support for you local event!

Our local chapter is having the walk begin at 6 pm on the 15th at the local high school track. First lap are the survivors and their care givers if they choose. Everyone I have spoken to about it say it is a very touching few minutes seeing just how many survivors are in our small town. Last year I understand several hundred were in attendance.
I haven't been to the local event for several years.
The first lap is really kewl, but I found the night laps to be splendid, as the survivors, family and friends all light a luminary ( some use a paper bag with a candle in it others more ornate) and they surround the entire
track with a soft glow of hope!

Okay off my soap box.
Thanks for letting me bring this to your attention.

Mike

[guitarman]

Mike, I'm glad you brought this up. I am also a cancer survivor and I try to go to the Relay For Life event every year and it's so rewarding and heartwarming to see all the survivors and all the support people there together. It's a wonderful thing and I hope more people will go out and be part of this great thing. Doesn't cost you a thing. The support is outstanding. I know the first lap is something special when all the survivors walk together and the people clap and cheer for you. I can't say just how this makes you feel. Keep on spreading the word Mike. I'll try to do my part. God bless, David

[wood-n-things]

David,
back atcha my friend. I'll keep you in my good thoughts. How long for you, if you don't mind my asking?

[guitarman]

Mike, I don't mind at all. This month, April, marks 10 years since it was discovered that I had throat cancer. I'm cancer free now but I have a few little things I have to live with which is better than the alternative. I have no saliva at all and that is something I've had to deal with but I'm doing ok with it. I carry a water bottle with me 24/7. People are always asking me about my bottle. I carry it on a clip on my belt. Anyway, that's a little of it. Sorry if I rattled on too much. God bless you and know you're in my prayers as well. Let me know how things are going, David

[core-eagle]

Hey Mike,
I am a survivor as well for the past 15 years. Had a bad case of melanoma which in the end gives me some use of my left arm, nothing overhead. I have walked in the Survivor Lap the past 14 Relays and am looking forward to this one. Ours is June 19th. So far all tests come back negative. Thanks for spreading the word and good luck with yours. I have cut lots of the Survivor Doves and given them away.

TimB

[wood-n-things]

Tim,
survivor doves? Glad you are still Cancer free after all these years. 6 more treatments and I will have finished my radiation therapy.

Good for you david..I'm glad you are in the survivor category as well.

[yost69]

Originally Posted by guitarman

I have no saliva at all and that is something I've had to deal with but I'm doing ok with it. I carry a water bottle with me 24/7. People are always asking me about my bottle.

Ok,

I know that this is a tad off topic, but I just have to know.

You say you have no saliva. I have been told that if you have no saliva you can't taste anything.

Is this true? If it is, does the water help you taste anything?

I don't know anyone else that has that. My dad went through chemo a few years back and he said he could taste but not great. But now he has got that behind him and his taste is back.

Ben


If that is to personal of a question feel free to ignore me. I am just intrigued.

[guitarman]

No problem Ben, I don't have any problem tasteing food or liquids. The richness of a lot of foods aren't what they once were. For instance, I can hardly taste vanilla ice cream. It needs to be something like French Vanilla or along that line before I can tell what it is. Other flavors don't seem to be a problem all except chocolate. Most chocolate tastes richer for some reason unknown reason. My most favorite cake in the world, pineapple cream, tastes' wonderful as always. I don't understand why the taste's of some things are so different. I was told that I might find a difference in some things and I certainly have in a few. I hope this will help clear things up a little for you. If you have any thing else to ask, please don't hesitate. I'll gladly tell you what I can. David

[Scrolling Days]

That's a great event for a great cause.