Luminaries - what is this?

Good Day Everyone

So comes to an end a fun filled warm and sunny weekend.   Those in Ontario hope you were able to stay dry and warm.   :)    
- Congratulations Dan and Lisa on the upcoming arrival of your baby boy.  Aunt Teresa is looking forward to pinching some baby cheeks.   


Funny joke - the truth here though is if you want something to happen or be true, you may just dig enough to see it that way.  Sometimes you just have to accept things for as they are and let the shovel rest. 



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The count down to Regina's Relay for Life is on.     Friday June 8th is the day.


Thank you everyone for your outpouring of support again this year.  Not just the monetary support to help us raise almost $5000 again this year. High fives to everyone - each dollar has an important roll.  But besides the money - your encouragement, item donations, volunteer time and even just taking some time to chat have all made these past months wonderful.   This is one of the great positives we have found while on this journey, a way to support the community while having an impact on those in similar shoes.  A very special thank you to Teresa for all her help with our Relay Team and support while I was volunteering as part of the Committee.  Never forget you are a wonderful, kind hearted person who is loved by many. 

So with the big day heading our way - next week I start planning for next year.  And I may have a surprise or 2 in store for 2013.  (wink wink)  Yes my mind has already moved on to next year.  


Purchase a Luminary in Remembrance of someone or in support of someone fighting Cancer.

One of the most spectacular sights and moving moments of Relay for Life is the Luminary Ceremony.  This is a time when a candle is lit in honour of someone living with Cancer or in Remembrance of someone who has lost their battle.   The luminary bags will outline the track area while you walk and truly provide the energy needed to keep on stepping.   


Purchasing a Luminary is easy and is $5

1 - Look up your local Relay for Life website.   relayforlife.ca
2 - Click the buy a Luminary Button
3 - Fill in the details including your message
4 - complete payment details.

Purchase a Luminary to be displayed at the Regina Relay for Life

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And late last week I mentioned you should stay tuned.  Well there is some press coverage coming up for Regina's Relay for Life and I am going to be sharing my story about why I Relay.

Thursday we will have coverage in our local newspaper - the Leaderpost - not to worry I will share the article when it comes out.

Then Thursday Morning  I have am being interviewed on Regina's CTV morning show - 630am and then on CBC Radio.   Confirmation times for when to tune in will follow.  Below are the channels and web links to tune in and listen. 

Bell Express view -     CTV — Regina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Shaw Direct (Star Choice) -   CTV Regina    315 / 29
CBC Radio   http://www.cbc.ca/radio/     - Select Regina as the region.

Keep smilin  - the world will smile back.

Jtee

The Symbolism of Relay for Life

Good day and Happy weekend!

Regina's Relay for life is 2 weeks away and many other Relays around the world are underway.

Not that alot of people ask why I Relay, as part of my reason is apparent. I thought I would share some of additional reasons.  For me this event is more then just raising some money to help in the fight to make Cancer History.  After attending last year for the first time, and not really knowing what we were doing, I realized this event is not about the money.  The money is secondary.  The showing of support, celebrating survival and honoring those we have lost - that is the biggie.  Yes - I relay to raise money which will help support those in need.  I also Relay to raise awareness about the disease and to show others there is hope.  Before attending last year I "had hope" but there was a wall blocking belief or faith in hope.  That wall was crushed and destoyed while standing on the side lines for the Victory Lap.  What I saw walk by me was hope as there were survivors bearing tags of survival for 15 years, 20 years, and more - each one took a blow to that wall and I found belief in hope.  The core reason I Relay now is to help crush the walls other may have blocking them from believing in hope.  Be warned there Big C - the sea of Yellow shirts is a powerful force - and we are coming for you in waves. 



Here is what the course of the event represents:

• As the participants arrive to start Relay they are strong and ready for the challenge.
• That newly diagnosed cancer survivor hopes they too are ready for the challenge – the challenge of their life.
• As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker and the participants start to wonder what they have gotten themselves into - just as the emotions of the cancer survivor gets colder and darker and they too wonder what is in store for them.
• Once night has come the Luminary Ceremony begins - where every candle we light represents the life of a loved one.   Some have survived or living with Cancer and some have lost their battle.
• But these lights will guide you through the night.
• This represents the time the cancer patient gets help from family, a doctor, or maybe the Canadian Cancer Society – where we will help light their path through their journey.
• Now you walk through the night.  Giving up and going to bed is tempting but you go on exhausted, and push through a sleepless night.  As do those battling Cancer. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up, but they can’t.
• Around 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. we are nearing the end of Relay and for the cancer patient, it symbolizes nearing the end of their treatments.
• You’re tired and so are they but you’re almost there..
• There light at the end of the tunnel.
• The morning sunrise brings a new day full of life and they know they will live to see another day.
• You maybe exhausted and weak, just as the patients are going through treatments.
• But there is hope in the new day!

Together we can make cancer history and bring hope to those faced with this challenge.

Take care all and keep smilin

Jason