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Relay for Life
I've got something to do on Saturday night. Even though the Los Angeles Dodgers' Chad Billingsley will make his major league debut on Saturday night on cable TV, even though there's a great band playing at the Flood Zone in Champlain, and even though there's an AAU Girls' Basketball Tournament in town this weekend, I've got something more important.
I'll be out at the Clinton County Fairgrounds for the 9th Annual American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. It all begins at 7pm and will end twelve hours later at 7 o'clock Sunday morning. Following the opening ceremony there will be a group of paratroopers entering the fairgrounds for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, kicking off the "Survivors Lap" -- an emotional event where close to one hundred cancer survivors will walk the first lap around the track. During that trek someone will sing Melissa Ethredge's song "I Walk for Life."
From 8pm until the early morning hours local bands will entertain the groups of volunteer walkers who will take part in the Relay for Life. At 11pm the Luminaria Candle Ceremony will take place. Special guest Brian Rose will address the crowd. Rose, a member of the Vermont Air National Guard, was assigned to Iraq last year, only to discover that he had a rare form of cancer. Rose has lost a leg because of that, but he has not lost his determination and fighting spirit. His goal is to walk in the Relay for Life with several of his National Guard comrades who recently returned from Iraq.
If you have never seen the Luminaria Ceremony, that alone is worth a trip to the fairgrounds on Saturday night. Following Rose's 11pm address the Luminaria Lap will take place. It's a somber walk around the track with thousands of candles glowing in honor of those lives who have been touched by cancer.
Hopefully, the weather will cooperate this weekend, especially on Saturday evening. The weather's been so uncooperative lately that I figure for such a worthy cause a beautiful evening is due. North Country Cable Network plans on videotaping several of the activities. The local chapter of the American Cancer Society is to be praised for organizing such a tribute to cancer survivors. In my preparations for videotaping I've been in touch with Joan Brown, Angela Jennette and Faye Fitzgerald. As I have learned from my video work with the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center at CVPH, cancer survivorship begins with the day of diagnosis.
We all know someone whose life has been changed or challenged by cancer. Here's a great opportunity to pay tribute to that person, by walking a lap or two on Saturday night, or by just being there, remembering that special person. Hope to see you there. I don't plan on sleeping until about 8 o'clock Sunday morning. Think the ol' Fox can make it?
Comments
Foxy,
What a wonderful 12hours. We were blessed with beautiful, warm weather. The Survivor lap was a joyful and emotional experience with approximately 125 people participating. After the lap, each survivor released their balloon(s), enscribed with the number of years survived. The sky was filled with drifting purple balloons. Truly inspiring. An update for those who could not attend. We raised $85,000 and there are still donations coming in. What a tribute to North Country generosity.
Posted by: Linda Boire | June 21, 2006 7:36 AM
Mr. Gagnon, a former student here to tell how I've been involved with Relay for Life also! I live in Tampa, Florida now and have been the team captain for the last three years at the middle school where I teach math. This year, my economically disadvantaged school raised almost $5,500 dollars for the American Cancer Society and we had a blast doing it! We keep it as fun as possible for the students to raise as much money as we can! Boy - those pennies add up! I got involved to support my uncle during his fight (he's in remission now!! YAY!) and recently found out that my husband's aunt has been diagnosed. It's getting closer and closer to home. It's a tremendous cause and a fun, motivating, exciting, emotional night for everyone involved. Great job!!
BTW - I like your blog. It keeps me feeling somewhat connected to the North Country. =)
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from you, Emily! You are well-remembered. A great student and, now, I'm sure, a great teacher. Congrats on your work on behalf of the American Cancer Society.)
Posted by: Emily List-Gunn | June 20, 2006 11:47 PM
I have so much to thank you for. I read your blog for the first time ever and was touched by your words. I didn't plan to attend the event and after reading your blog I was convinced that my family too would walk next to Brian, who is a very good friend of my family. I registered immediately after reading. My husband is also a cancer survivor and seen the survivor's lap brought tears to my eyes. I am very grateful you published such well said words. We could not spend the night but the 5 hours that we spend walking and sharing with friends, co-workers and people we just met at the event was enough to show me what a wonderful community this is. Thanks again.
Posted by: Maria Lugo | June 19, 2006 10:12 PM
Foxy,
It was great to see you at the "Relay For Life." I was very moved by the "Survivor's Lap," especially. It was my first time at this event and I plan on walking next year! Thanks for all that you do here in the North Country...
(Foxy's note: Welcome to the "blog comment club," Steve. With your knowledge of sports and being a good ol' North Country boy, you might have some opinions to share on some future blogs. Hope so!)
Posted by: Steve Criss | June 19, 2006 12:25 PM
Foxy, As you know I am known as a drummer, however, since I moved to Kansas I play my Acoustic much more these days and go every year to Plainville, KS for the Relay and it is definately emotional, tearful, happy, sad, every emotion a person can imagine will and does engulf you and consume you!! What a beautiful thing. I just can't put into words my feelings on this subject. Everyone has a favorite Aunt...Uncle....cousin, Dad.. Mom? We lost Auntie in 1986. My tribute to her is to get out every year and do whatever I must!!! Love your blogs! Hi Goose!!
Posted by: Randy Vaughn | June 16, 2006 3:49 PM
Foxy,
You nailed it. The relay is a joyful, tearful, emotionally uplifting and draining event and I wouldn't miss it. It is a time to celebrate, reminisce, and recalibrate. It's hundreds of people coming together in a single cause and you have to be there to really feel it. It WILL inspire everyone who attends.
Posted by: Gary Liberty | June 15, 2006 2:49 PM
Foxy,
Thanks for the great promo. We are all walking for a great cause. The Fitzpatrick Cancer Center walking team look forward to seeing you there. We are expecting GREAT WEATHER..
Linda Boire (Matt & Jason's Mom)
Posted by: Linda Boire | June 15, 2006 8:16 AM
Fox, great blog and what a great event ... if you were thinking ahead perhaps it could have been the grand opportunity you were waiting for,(mentioned in a pervious blog)......
"The great tractor race of Saratoga Court"... I don't think your candy apple red 18.5hp "mean machine" would stand a chance ... I heard Floyd's got a souped John Deere and Si's unit is turbo charged! but it could have made for a heck of a fund raiser!!! I can see it now, you, Floyd and Si lined up...with some of your top ten "unforgettable characters" waiting at the finish line holding checkered flags! maybe next year? .. Good Luck and have fun!
Posted by: the carver | June 15, 2006 1:39 AM
Foxy, Thank you so very much for doing such a fabulous job...we are all very lucky to have your support, joining us in the fight against cancer. As a cancer survivor myself I am very, very grateful and look forward to your media coverage and the beautiful stories you will have to tell. Have you ever experienced a Relay before?? If not, I just know you will be touched to the soul. Get some rest, pray for good weather and don't forget the tissue! I'm sure you can make it through the night!!!! Keep up the good work!
(Foxy's note: Faye, thanks for your comments. Last year I was a reader of the names at the Luminaria Ceremony. It was very touching! Several years back I videotaped the opening ceremony and first lap. This Saturday we hope to produce a one-hour program.)
Posted by: Faye Fitzgerald | June 14, 2006 9:02 AM
Foxy,
Great blog as usual. I will be there as well supporting the relay and my friend, Brian Rose. His "never say quit" attitude has not only served him well, but has inspired many others to keep going no matter what the circumstances might be. Thank you Foxy for blogging about a great topic, and Brian don't ever change, you are an inspiration to a whole lot of people.
Posted by: Chris Heckard | June 14, 2006 8:27 AM