For the last four years, I have been volunteering to help plan a local Relay For Life, an overnight event created by the American Cancer Society. It really is a wonderful event for a wonderful cause: the fight against cancer. I decided to document my thoughts throughout the event to kind of show what goes through the mind of someone who does this event and try and spread the word.
*Side note: I was surrounded by a bunch of rowdy teenagers that I didn't know whatsoever because I participate through a town that is not my own.*
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Relay for Life "Thought Log"
5 p.m. - How is it only 5 p.m.? I'm already ready for a nap.
6 p.m. - I seriously need a nap or coffee. I might curl up into a ball under the registration tent soon and just go to sleep.
7 p.m. - Opening ceremony -- thank the lord were finally starting. Still need a nap, but I've got coffee so hopefully that'll be good enough for now.
8 p.m. - I have a headache from this band and I still want a nap, but the coffee is kicking in.
9 p.m. - This is a really stressful moment because I have a part in the lumenaria ceremony, which is lighting the bags in the bleachers, and I feel really rushed and pressured. I set a bag on fire, but it got done so I guess the mini panic attack is over.
10 p.m. - I'm starting to become cranky and I have a headache. Still desire nap.
11 p.m. - I'm really getting tired of these small children. They need to go home.
12 a.m. - Friends and I escaped for food because they were only selling hot dogs and I don't like hot dogs. Nice to get away from the chaos for a small moment and just sit and relax.
1 a.m. - Frozen t-shirt contest is hands down the greatest idea that has ever been presented and watching everyone scramble to win was the highlight of my night. Kudos to the Girl Scouts for being creative to get their shirt defrosted.
2 a.m. - These high schoolers are v annoying, I wonder if a collegiate relay would be better for me now that I'm in college and such. Maybe I'll try to start one at Albright.
3 a.m. - 2 more hours, everyone's starting to die out but I'm still going pretty strong. My legs hurt a lot but overall I'm not too tired.
4 a.m. - I knew my all nighters through out my first two semesters at college would come in handy... If only my knees and ankles would agree. At least we can start to clean up, pack up, and get ready to go home.
5 a.m. - WOW CLOSING CEREMONY! $53,047 raised this year, which is super awesome. So excited to go home, shower, and then go to sleep. Until next year relay, until next year.
If you are not involved in a local Relay for Life or do not have one, I sincerely urge you to try and get one started. The event really is a great way to bring the community together and the American Cancer Society is such a wonderful nonprofit organization that does so much not only with research but to take care of a person who is battling and fighting as a whole and really making sure that they have all they need to win the fight.
For more information about the American Cancer Society, what they do, and how to get involved, please visit here.
