Obituaries in the newspaper offer an opportunity for families to mark the passage of their loved ones. Occasionally, they also offer a glimpse into the personal struggles of the departed, sharing some insight into both their lives and their deaths.
Sadly, and far too often, you find the phrase “following a courageous battle with cancer” woven into the text. Few of us are completely immune from the far-reaching impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Raising money for cancer research is one way to pay tribute to the lives lost as well as celebrate those who have been saved through medical science and faith.
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life offers community-based fund-raising events designed to honor lives that have been touched by cancer. Pledges are collected and teams volunteer their time to walk or run laps around a track over the course of the 18-hour event.
The origins of this nationwide experience are right here in our backyard, where, in 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt spent 24 hours on the track at the University of Puget Sound to raise money for the Tacoma chapter of the American Cancer Society. From that solitary endeavor, encompassing 83 grueling miles, Klatt became the inspiration for millions of American Cancer Society foot soldiers.
Locally, there are numerous Relay for Life events seeking teams and volunteers:
* May 21 in Lynnwood and Bothell.
* June 4 in Monroe.
* June 11 in Marysville.
* June 24 in Everett and South Whidbey Island.
Details about these events and other opportunities to get involved are available at the American Cancer Society’s Web site, www.cancer.org.
Even if circumstances prevent you from walking the track at one of the relay events, you can still help by offering financial support or by volunteering to help with logistics or registration. There’s even plenty of room for folks interested in cheering wildly from the sidelines. It’s an effort clearly worth cheering for.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
