Relay for Life: Taking the Fight to Cancer

Relay+for+Life%3A+Taking+the+Fight+to+Cancer

Alyssa Kennedy, Writer

Saturday, May 2nd, Bob Jones Ambassadors are taking the fight to cancer in an afternoon event at the Madison City Stadium. The fifteen students lead by team captains Collins Hess, Savinna Prapiadou and Ashley Dong (all juniors) boldly stride towards the goal of raising $2,000 dollars.

Each year 14 million people are delivered the heart breaking news that they have cancer. Each year 8 million families are devastated when they are forced to sy goodbye to their loved ones. The reality of cancer is a vicious one, but there is a way for you to help. Relay for Life’s national website says, “Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through Relay For Life movement.”

Ashley Dong student ambassador said, “$100-$1 – It will make a difference.” Dong went on to say the fight against cancer is a long and hard one, but we are “currently winning the war against cancer.” There are 13.7 million survivors and that number is expected to grow to 18 million within the decade.

More than raising money, the event will be an epicenter of hope this weekend. Dong mentioned in a Facebook post, “The event will host entertainment including a running film on cancer called Cancer: The Emperor of All Remedies. There will also be food trucks set up around the center area.” At 8:30 a luminary ceremony will be held to commemorate the lives claimed by cancer. In addition to this, students of Bob Jones can expect a possible change drive before the week is over and we all know what that means (whisper voice: leave school a early).

Dong finished by saying, “This year and every year, make your mark, create a wave, and join the force against cancer.”

Cancer is an insidious force that leaves no man woman or child untouched. It is no stretch to say that in our lives we will meet and sometimes lose loved ones to the disease. Relay for Life gives the opportunity to celebrate what survivors have overcome, raise funds to help others, and memorialize those lost. More than that it reminds us how to be human and to give into the lives of others.