Dear Editor
Relay For Life of Barton County team members know that “Cancer does not stop for nighttime.”
We take turns, relay style, walking around the courthouse square in honor or remembrance of those who have cancer. Many ask the question, “why all night?” Below is the answer and the reason we push through to morning.
RELAY FOR LIFE starts at dusk and ends at the next day’s morning. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotion, and mental state of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.
The RELAY begins when the sun is setting. This symbolizes the time that the person has been diagnosed as having cancer. The day is getting darker and this represents the cancer patient’s state of mind as they feel that their life is coming to an end.
As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient does. Around 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. represents the time when the cancer patient starts treatment. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As a participant, you have been walking and feel much the same way. You are tired, want to sleep, maybe even want to go home, but you cannot stop or give up.
Around 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. symbolizes the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again they are tired, but they know they will make it.
The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient. As a participant, you will feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of the RELAY is close at hand.
When you leave the RELAY, think of the cancer patient leaving their last treatment. Just as you are exhausted and weak, so is that person after treatment.
We fight for our children, parents, siblings, spouses, friends and neighbors. We do not distinguish between what type of cancer. We want to see an end to all cancers.
This is supposed to be a community event. So we invite the community to join us as we continue to raise funds to fight this disease. Start a team, join a team or make a donation.
REMEMBER: There is no finish line until we find a cure.
Linn Hogg
Great Bend