This is my 3rd year as Relay For Life Event Chair and 4th year on the planning committee. Last summer, after Relay, I was contemplating stepping down from Relay all together. The organizing, recruiting and fundraising became too much time, effort and stress. I needed a year “off.”
Then two close friends of my age, mid-30’s, were diagnosed with breast cancer. Both required surgery for removal of one or both breasts. The time, effort and stress involved with Relay seemed less important to me.
This school year, I have two students that are cancer survivors. I have 6 students who have at least one parent fighting cancer right now! Each one has required surgery. And each student has been impacted by their parent’s fight with cancer. I continually wish I could do more to support my friends who are batting cancer. I continually wish I could do more to support my students who are watching their parent battle cancer.
Relay is my way to show them I care! Yet, this year, I feel like I am failing.
Did you know that the State of Washington uses 3rd grade reading scores to predict how many jail cells they will need 20 years down the road? We use similar data to predict how much our Relay will raise each year. We look at how many teams are signed up by, and how many people are near the $100 minimum by the T-Shirt deadline, which is this Friday April 12th.
Right now I am scared…I am scared to fail for my friends. I am scared to fail for my students. I am scared to fail for everyone in the Northshore community that has been touched by cancer. We are down 15 teams, and down nearly 100 people approaching the $100 minimum compared to last year.
This year, we set a Goal to become a Mega-Event. That’s fundraising $200,000. Less than 5% of Relays Nationwide reach this status, and we have an opportunity to be elite in the fight against cancer! Northshore Relay For Life has a reputation for finishing the Relay season strong! We are known for setting records and bringing the funds when it really counts! Well, it’s time!
Each person reading this post knows at least one person that has never signed up for Relay. Each person reading this post knows at least one person that has never done any fundraising for a cancer cure. I am asking for your help!
If you have not signed up yourself yet, please sign up!
If you have not started fundraising yet, please start with an email.
If you have not attended a Team Rally, come to Tuesday’s Rally. At Skyview JH, 7pm.
If you know someone who participated last year, and they have not signed up yet, talk to them. Don’t nag them. Speak passionately about why we Relay!
I Relay to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back! I need your help. Our Survivors need your help. The people in our community battling cancer need your help.
Our front page has more info on upcoming Rally’s, Fundraisers and ways to get involved. Let’s make Hope Happen!
Thank you for reading!
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