Why Do You Relay? Allison's Story

As I am writing my first blog post to let you all know about the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Evanston I am wondering what story I should tell first. This is my first blog post after all so it needs to be great! Well, I came to the conclusion to just write what I know and hopefully it resonates with someone out there.

I asked the committee members to submit information to me about their reasons for participating in Relay and what they have experienced at past events. What I found was that everyone has their own reason to Relay and different aspects of the event stand out to each individual. Of course, the common goal of wanting to help gain awareness and join in the fight against this devastating disease was present. However, no story was exactly the same and cancer has impacted everyone is a different way.

Allison’s Reason to Relay….

Allison is an active high school senior and for the past few years has dedicated time to volunteer with Relay For Life of Evanston. Her reason to Relay is one that is close to her heart. She has dealt with the loss of one granfather to cancer while the other is battling the disease. Allison learned of the event through her sister who was involved with Relay and she decided to join in the fight.

As Allison sat with her friends during the luminaria ceremony, with nightfall settling in and the luminaria bags glowing with candlelight the song "Arms of the Angels," played in the background. Allison and her friends stood to take their first lap and were overcome with emotion and immediately began to cry. Walking together in a huddle, they joined others to view the bags which held the names of loved ones who had lost their lives to cancer as well as those who won the battle or were still fighting the disease.

Allison says she "continues to participate in Relay each year because it is a life-changing event that brings together people of all ages, races, genders and cultures." Since participating in Relay she has a whole new outlook on cancer. She doesn’t only see it as a devastating life-changing disease but as a journey that requires hope and gives loved ones the opportunity to fight back!

I encourage YOU to join in the fight. Please visit www.RelayForLife.org/EvanstonIL.