Monday, June 2, 2008

RELAY FOR LIFE FINAL...131 LUMINARIAS!!!!

Our final total was 131 bags. Thanks again everyone, you helped us raise money for finding a cure to this horrible disease.

Our relay-well, the forecast was for rain. I understand it has rained every year since they started relaying here in Southold.This year was no different. It rained in the morning, but stopped in the afternoon in time for everyone to set up and get ready. We arrived around 3pm to set up. It was SO windy, everything was whipping around the field. We had a difficult time securing our canopies and tarps. But everything was placed around and our area was decorated nicely. Our team name was Maui Mamas, so I'm sure you can guess what the theme was.

Dave and Hannah and I headed over to the Survivor dinner at 5:30. It was so nice, they had gift bags for all the survivors and a nice catered dinner. Hannah looked around and said "why am I the only kid here?" I told her we knew lots of kids with cancer, just none of them lived in our town. Everyone was so nice to her, it was quite a sight seeing her in that little purple Survivor t-shirt. We then headed back to the field for the first lap of the relay. The first lap is for Survivors only. The crowd lines the field and claps and cheers as the survivors walk the lap. I walked with Hannah (who was waving and smiling and talking to her sister on the walkie talkie) and our friend Pam's mom, also a cancer survivor. I think Hannah really got a kick out of everyone cheering her on and yelling her name. Next came the survivors and caregiver walk, so Dave and I both walked with her. Next was the entire crowd.



We got all three laps in before the weather started coming in. It began to rain, it poured. We all took cover, it didn't last that long. After the downpour (with thunder and lightening), it stopped. It was warm out, so it wasn't miserable at all. Next thing we knew, it was 7:45pm and the police were coming around telling everyone that the relay had been cancelled and we had to pack up and get out asap. I guess the American Cancer Society heads in Connecticut heard that we were going to get severe lightening and hail. Anyone that lives here on Long Island knows that it is a weird place for weather. We are located between the Long Island Sound and the Peconic Bay, and often weather that hits elsewhere does not hit us. Our relay chairs tried to convince the ACS people to give us a half hour to wait and see, but they were having none of it. We were so disappointed. We had anticipated a long fun night of walking and remembering and talking, but by 9pm, we were packed and off the field.

We were able to get in the most important part of the relay-the survivor lap, so I'm happy that Hannah was able to experience that. We know now that there are other kids in Southold with cancer, some living and some that have passed away. Wow.

I also wanted to share the Wall of Courage with you. My online friend Heidi, mom of Jessica who passed away last year on June 9th from a brain tumor, created this wonderful Wall of Courage with many kids pictures with brain tumors, and lots of brain tumor facts too. It was an amazing display, and I was so honored that she allowed me to use it. The girls and I put it together, and here is a picture of it at home along with all of our luminaria bags. Thanks so much Heidi. Everyone at the relay was very moved by the display. Many people stopped to look at it, and ponder all of the kids with brain tumors, many of whom had passed away. When it got dark, people came over with their flashlights to see it. Well it was out in the rain, and although the pictures were laminated, the board became warped a bit. Here is the board again after a bit of rain, but doesn't it look great?

On Sunday night, we all came back to the field for the luminaria and closing ceremony. We showed up early-with our Wall of Courage to display again and to help set up. We filled all the luminaria bags with the candles and helped set them around the track. There were more than 4,000 bags displayed. That is both honorable and tragic at the same time I think. But the ceremony was very special and moving for all of us there.

Tina Koslosky, who ran a scrapbook fundraiser for Hannah last year, spoke about losing her son at age 3 to leukemia. I had not even known that she had a son that died from cancer. Everyone in the crowd was crying. When it got dark we lit all the candles, and then began with a bagpipes version of Amazing Grace. Everyone followed the bagpiper around the track in silence looking at all the luminarias in honor of those fighting cancer, or who have lost their battle with cancer, or who are supporting someone with cancer. It was very quiet and humbling. We were also joyful at looking at all of the bags in honor of Hannah, and all of the other bags we made that you all had ordered from us. Very exciting too! Here are some of my favorite pictures.

So, our first relay was a very positive experience for Hannah. She enjoyed being one of the honored survivors, and also got to do some fun things like play putt putt golf, eat cotton candy, and meet lots of other survivors and supporters. And check out the big trophy in the picture here from Mrs. Smith-she really got a kick out of that one, thank you!

Back to reality. We're at the hospital tomorrow for her brain and spine MRI's-about 3 1/2 hours in all. Fingers crossed and lots of prayers tonight.

xoxo Kim