Walking around the track, seeing the look on people’s faces, hearing the stories being told, and the hope and love being shared; this is Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a community event where people come and work together to find a cure for cancer. But really, it is much more than just that, it is about hope and the belief that we can make a difference. The candles are all lit, the luminaria ceremony has begun and a hush falls across the field. I turn to my mom and look her in the eyes and see the tears streaming down her face. Quietly I say, “Hope, that is what this is all about.” My mom hugs me and gently kisses me on the forehead. “Your Uncle Rick would have loved you, thank you for being here with me to help celebrate his life”, she whispers in my ear.

By sharing sympathy and understanding with those who are suffering you help them feel better. Compassion fills the air; it is uplifting to see how many people care.  Looking around a field filled with the light from a multitude of candles, it is overwhelming to see how many people have been affected by cancer. Hope helps us overcome anything that life throws our way. I believe hope is like a blanket, spreading over us and helping us feel better even in the toughest of times.

Hope is what I truly believe in…yes, this I believe.

About Relay for Life: