A Walk to Remember

When my friends and I participated in Stonehill's Relay for Life last year, we had a blast. It was a fun night on the football field until we ended at 4 a.m., playing games, walking laps, and singing songs. We were joined by 46 other teams and over 400 other people, but the message was the same for each person there. The night was about celebrating, remembering, and fighting back. Cancer affects all of us somehow, whether it's someone in our family, a friend, or someone a friend knows. Which sucks, obviously, but it gives us the opportunity to do something for humanity, for the human connection. It grants us the chance to be by someone's side as they fight the biggest battle of their life, and show your support for that person no matter what. And for the people who aren't as touched by cancer, it's an opportunity to know that you're part of the difference that can change lives forever.

Every year at some point, I watch, and subsequently distribute throughout all forms of social media, Jim Valvano's 1993 ESPY speech. Jimmy V, who was the coach of the NC State men's basketball team, died of the disease only a few weeks after he gave his speech for winning the Arthur Ashe Courage award. His speech, my favorite of all-time, is not just about cancer, or how to fight it. It's about how to live your life, and how you should approach each and every day. It is this speech that is the motivating factor for me personally when it comes time for Relay for Life, and hopefully, it becomes one for you, as well.

If you would like to know more about the American Cancer Society and the work they do, you can click that link. They have a ton of information about the disease, information completely independent of Relay for Life. If you would like to donate to our team, you can start here. Yes, money is important in finding a cure for cancer, but until then, we will do whatever we can to strengthen the connection between people, because that is something that cancer can never take away.

"And I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. To spend each day with some laughter, and some thought, and to get your emotions going, and to be enthusiastic every day..."