“Cancer Does Not Stop For Nighttime”
RELAY FOR LIFE starts at dusk and ends at the next day’s morning. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotions, and mental state of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.
The RELAY begins when the sun is setting. This symbolizes the time that the person has been diagnosed of having cancer. The days are getting darker and this represents the cancer patient’s state of mind as they feel that their life is coming to an end.
As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient do. Around 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. represents the time when the cancer patients start treatments. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As a participant, you have been walking and feel much the same way. You cannot stop or give up; just as the cancer patients cannot stop or give up.
Around 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. symbolizes the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again, they are tired, but they know they will make it.
The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient. As a participant, you will feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of the RELAY is close at hand.
When you leave the RELAY, think of the cancer patient leaving their last treatment, just as you are exhausted and weak, so is that person after treatment.
Remember: THERE IS NO FINISH LINE UNTIL WE FIND A CURE!
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