Ready for the 2017 Relay
…I was going to use this week’s column to write about some of the upcoming events happening in Greene County, but one quick look at the calendar made me realize there is one very special upcoming event I really want to talk about.
You see, I noticed that the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Greene County will be held at the Waynesburg Central High School Raider Field of Pride on May 6. (This will mark the 20th consecutive year the Relay has been held in Greene County and the 22nd year that Greene County has been involved in the Relay, which is impressive.) And for us here at the Greene County Messenger, that most certainly is something worth talking about.
It’s no secret that the Messenger has proudly and loudly supported this event over the years, and this year is no exception.
We have been attending the Relay just about every year they’ve been held, and it’s admittedly one of the annual events we look forward to each year. And that’s not just because we have always been impressed with how much awareness the Relay has raised over the past years, not to mention the funds it has raised in the fight to find a cure for cancer (over $2.1 million and counting, which is awesome).
No, the biggest reason why the Relay means so much to us is the people — those wonderful folks who have been involved with the Relay that we have been fortunate and honored to have met over the years. The cancer survivors who have willingly shared their emotional stories of heartache and triumph, the volunteers who work tirelessly year-round behind the scenes to help make the event a success, the participants who devote so much time assembling Relay teams and raising money, and those who attend because they have loved ones who courageously fought but ultimately lost their battles with the deadly disease….They are all truly special people who have helped give the event such a warm and human face, and we feel privileged that we have had the opportunity to get to know so many of them throughout the years as a news publication.
One of my favorite parts of the annual Relay is the Victory Lap taken by the cancer survivors. I look forward to watching the lap every year, as survivors hold each others’ hands and walk triumphantly, smiling proudly. I am always so moved by their actions that I always put my camera and notebook away and join all of the people who stand along the track, applauding and cheering the survivors.
(The traditional lap was even more poignant for me last year when I was snapping photos and spotted my Mom walking with other members of my family. I decided to join her, and as we walked and talked, I was in awe of all of the people standing along the track, applauding and cheering the survivors. And I thought about her previous struggles with cancer and how much she went through, and how she — like so many others who were walking that lap — had bravely overcome her bouts with the life-threatening disease. And with tear-filled eyes, I simply put my arm around her, happy that she was able to enjoy this day of celebration and this victory lap. And right then and there, I fully understood, more than ever, why so many people look forward to the Relay each and every year.)
Looking back, I still have fond memories of when I attended my first Relay many years ago. I’ll be honest, I walked into that event more concerned about getting a “good story” for the paper than I was about celebrating life. It might sound a little selfish, but my biggest concern at the beginning of that day was my deadline. All I was aiming for was to spend some time there, get a couple of nice quotes and snap some decent photos, and I’d be on my way.
It took only a few minutes to change all that, as I was introduced to some incredibly special youths — all of them cancer survivors — who were serving as ambassadors for the Relay. They and their families shared with me stories of hope, courage and life, and the more I listened the more I realized that this event was much more than just a news story.
I ended up staying throughout most of the day, meeting so many different people from all walks of life — young, elderly, children, parents and grandparents — who were there for the same reason: They were all doing their part to help find a cure to a disease that affects everybody, one way or another.
Since that first event, I have attended the Relay almost every year and have been grateful to have had the chance to meet many wonderful people and also catch up with those special folks I have met at previous Relays. And year after year, it’s a joy to see so many folks share photographs and memories and watch the emotions pour out amidst a day of laughter, tears, hugs and smiles.
I am also honored to say that over the years the Relay has helped me forge friendships with some very special people who have been an invaluable part of the Relay and who have blessed me with many fond memories. It would take another whole column to name them all, but I do want to mention a few people who, thanks to the Relay, have become special to me: Andrew Stockey of WTAE-TV, who has served as Relay emcee for many years and has become synonymous with the event; Margie Smith of ACS, a wonderful person who was always truly passionate about the Greene County event; Dillon Spencer, Janice Blair-Martin, Jacki Headlee, Linda Arbogast, Shannon Wallace and Steve Gillis, who have served as co-chairs and co-leads for the event; and Robert and Janice Lahew and their amazing daughter Chrissy.
Chrissy is a cancer survivor and terrific young lady who had served as one of the event’s ambassadors for many years, ever since the very first year. I have had the honor of knowing Chrissy and her parents for many years, and I vividly remember meeting them many years ago at the Relay and marveling at how kind and good-hearted they are. I will never forget how they shared with me their powerful story of Chrissy being diagnosed with cancer at a young age, and how she overcame the odds. We have remained close friends ever since, and it is a friendship I truly cherish. And every time I see them, I am not only thankful for their friendship, I am reminded of just how incredible the Relay really is.
It is no secret that we here at the Messenger are looking forward to this year’s Relay For Life. We encourage all of Greene County to find some way to support this special event, whether it is attending the Relay or supporting at least one of the many fundraising initiatives being held for the event….