In the early spring, the Canadian Cancer Society holds a major fundraising effort during which they sell dafodils. A little later in the summer, usually in June, the Cancer Society holds its annual Relay for Life.
For many years now, I have heard of the Relay which is an occasion for cancer survivors and their family and friends to commemorate those who have lost their battle with this disease, and to do something concrete to personify the hope that is always present for those who must so often watch from the sidelines while those we love suffer.
This past Friday, the annual Relay for Life was held here in Sudbury, and in most parts of Ontario. For the first time, I was able to participate. I was absolutely blown away to see the magnitude of this gathering. There was a sea of tents where some of the participants would spend the night. Fruit and water for the walkers was provided courtesy of some of the generous donors.
I arrived just in time to witness the victory lap. The overnight Relay begins with cancer survivors, adorned in yellow t-shirts, each carrying a brightly coloured balloon. Accompanied by their family and friends, the survivors walk one lap around the track and then release their balloons which float away in an explosion of colour. Participants walk laps of the track all through the night, ending at 7:00 am the next day. In the meanwhile, there is a variety of musical acts, and activities for children.
Perhaps most striking of all are the luminaries, candles which encircle the track and which are lit at dusk. The luminaries burn throughout the night as tributes to those who have lost their battle with cancer, or as tributes to those who are cancer survivors. In the case of the Sudbury Relay, luminaries were also placed in the stands overlooking the university track, spelling out the word HOPE in English, French and Ojibway.
Nestled among the tents which encircled the track, there was even a TeePee, a quiet but valuable reminder of the Ojibway First Nations who joined their prayer with ours as we all remembered loved ones who have battled cancer.
My experience of the Relay was so poignant that I reflected upon it in my weekly homily. Although I recognize that it may be very difficult for some cancer survivors to participate in the Relay, for various reasons, the truth is that this is one of the most poignant expressions of hope that I have seen because there is room for survivors, mourners and 'innocent' bystanders to participate in a physical activity while uniting their efforts and prayers for the suffering as well as for the repose of the souls of those who have died. Prayers are also offered on that night, as always, for the family and friends who must stand and watch as their loved ones battle for their lives.
What a tribute to life! What a tribute to love! What a tribute to all those who discover the true strength of love, the strength to overcome all adversity.
1 comment:
I also attended the Relay for Life for the first time on Friday. When I think back and remember all of us walking around the track in the pouring rain I thought that the actions of everyone continuing to carry on despite adverse conditions was another parallel of those who continue to fight, to beat the odds when faced with cancer. And the huge words of hope formed by the luminaries in the stands describe the feelings of all those who were there and as well as those who weren't able to attend.
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