Relay for Life

This past weekend we headed east to participate in our first ever Relay for Life event.  Relay is a nationwide fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.  My sister's dental office (Drs. Armstrong & Tant) entered their team in the event in honor of the lives in their families touched by cancer, including Julia's.

There were 143 teams participating and over 3,000 people.  The night was kicked off with several speakers sharing their emotional journeys. Then all the survivors gathered around the stage in a sea of purple.  It brought tears to my eyes to think of all these battles fought and being won. 

Julia was rockin' her Survivor tee.  They didn't have children's sizes so we cinched her up.  Child survivors were conspicuously absent from the event.  There were only a handful in the group of hundreds. Of the dozens of children being honored at this event, the majority had already left us and earned their angel wings- one just last week.  It was a glaring reminder of the differences in pediatric and adult cancers.  There are wonderful treatment options for adults, due largely to events like these.  For children the options are limited and outdated.  And 80% of pediatric cancer have already metastasized at diagnosis, only true for 20% of adults.  And they only receive 3% of the research dollars.  This HAS to change.  It only fueled the fire in me make a difference for pediatric cancer research.  Our kids all deserve a chance to fight.   

Julia walked her survivor's lap.  It was really emotional seeing all those cheering people lining the track.  Thinking back about everyone who supported us this past year and whose lives have touched ours.

And remembering those we've lost for whom we now carry the torch of HOPE forward. 

The relay started at 4:30 on Friday and continued until noon on Saturday.  The team members took turns walking throughout the night.  As Julia and I did our laps I took a moment to really thank God again for every battle He has fought for us this year.  As I carried that precious cargo around the track, getting all her sweet kisses and hugs along the way, my heart overflowed with gratitude.

Every team at the event set up their site to continue their fundraising- selling  food, jewelry, tshirts, games, raffles, etc.  We were selling Krispy Kreme :) The kids made a great crew.  Who can resist those faces?

They made great quality control, too...

And who could resist the free cotton candy being handed out by the Marines next to us?

Good thing we had our dental team in the house :)

The kids had a blast sliding, running, jumping, and playing games.

When the sun went down it was time for the luminary displays and the silent laps to honor and remember those who fight cancer.

We lit Julia's to celebrate six months NED! It feels so good to say that!

We headed back to the house with the kids around 10:30pm.  The party continues all night, but we knew at we needed at least a few hours of sleep.  The next morning we were back bright and early.  Julia was asked to help kick off the Kids Walk.  The speaker for the morning was a young girl whose brother battled cancer when they were both toddlers.  He won his battle twice, but lost when it returned again.  Having a brother with cancer had a profound effect on her childhood.  To this day she looks back on her experience and all the positive effects it has had on her life.  Spending time at Duke surrounded by pediatric oncology patients she was inspired by their perspective, courage, strength, and faith.  She has been blessed.  

Julia and her new little friend, Abby were recognized up on the stage.  Then they cut the ribbon to start the kids' event.  They did a great job being so young in a crowd full of strangers.

As we walked, Abby's mom and I had a chance to talk.  It turns out Abby is battling the very same cancer as Julia.  We ask for prayers for her as she continues to fight.  She is halfway through her treatments at UNC hospital.

We couldn't have been more proud of these two.  The boldly led the pack all the way around the track waving as they went.  This picture melts my heart!

We are so thankful for everyone who worked so hard to make this event happen.  Before the relay even started they had raised over $250,000! The final numbers have yet to be counted.