American Cancer Society Holds Relay For Life

Cancer Never Sleeps So Why Should We?

By Elizabeth Harwood

In response to the impact cancer has had on their lives, the community pulled an all-nighter to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and fight back at the 2011 Relay For Life event held at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. The 14-hours of non-stop walking began the early evening of May 13 and continued through the night until the morning of May 14, raising $262,420 for the American Cancer Society.

 “I’m way too young to be going to that many funerals,” says 19-year old Chelsea Moog of Pasadena who in one year knew 11 people who died from different types of cancer. “Every one of those people left some kind of impact or memory with me,” she continues, “and I want to do what I can to see a cure is found.”

Surrounded by more than 1,288 allies, Chelsea was in determined company.

“I can count on both hands in the last five years how many people I know who have had cancer,” said Louise Nielsen of Pasadena. Louise was a volunteer for another cancer organization when she was diagnosed with the disease last year. “I thought by volunteering,” she shared, “I got a ‘get out of jail free’ card. I never thought it would actually happen to me.”

While Louise is officially a triumphant survivor of cancer today, according to the American Cancer Society, one out of four deaths in the United States are cancer related.

“Everyone is here for the same reason — to find a cure,” said Event Chair Kim Gramza as she multi-tasked with Co-Chair Hilary Humphrey to greet cancer survivors, answer the dozens of last minute questions, and operate the all-important hand-held radio connecting the 21 event committee members and over 83 volunteers behind the scenes. These uncompensated advocates spend most of the year planning and preparing for the extraordinary event in the midst of full-time jobs and raising families.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s nothing compared to what we’ve all seen cancer patients go through,” said Kim while the popular song We Are Family by Sister Sledge blares in the background.

Those who work hard often play hard. Middle-eastern dances, dizzy bat races, water balloons, volleyball, scavenger hunts, dance tournaments, cardio workouts, magic, bands, and karaoke are only a handful of activities and entertainment sprinkled throughout the all-night event. The various fundraising efforts of the 138 teams were also full of fun, ranging from creative raffles and real-time games to balloon animals and candy-grams.

“Every year, someone loses somebody,” said Cathy Woodson of Benfield Elementary School. “Family and friends from our school seem to be deeply touched that we are involved in this way,” said Gina Mullin, also from Benfield Elementary.

Whether it’s our own life or someone else’s, time is precious and sharing it with one another is irreplaceable. Hopefully, a cure for cancer will be discovered — in irreplaceable and precious time. For information, visit www.relayforlife.org/arnold.