This is the second year for ThreeWill to field a Relay for Life Team.  We returned to Alpharetta High School and had a great start to the evening.  Linda and I walked the Survivor’s Walk together, which is what kicks off the event.  I had the honor of carrying the “Celebrate” flag (see  http://www.flickr.com/photos/8849782@N07/3506701787/in/set-72157617776857542/ for a video of Linda and I… youtube version below).

The kids enjoy playing ball on the field.  I had a soccer buddy named Bella (Sean Hester’s daughter) – I had a “ball” kicking with her.   On the day of the event (Friday, May 1) we had a heavy rainstorm during the day and it cleared up just in time for the event.  Everyone had a great time in the daylight and as the sun set that evening you could see thunder in the distance.  This eventually hit the event and at about 11pm we pack up a soaking wet camp. 

The organizers of the event push up the luminary ceremony (lighting lights in Memory or Honor of people effected by Cancer) and we were able to get a lap in before the downpour of rain.  I dedicated my walk (lighted luminary bags) to:

• In Memory of Jim Marks (a friend that I made during my stem cell transplant in Houston).  He passed away the weekend I came back to Houston for a Survivor’s Celebration in Houston (about 6 months post treatment)
• In Honor of Bob Buhay (a friend that had a stem cell transplant after me and is a 2 time Hodkin’s survivor like me)

The rain cut short the event, but we had lots of fun and were able to raise our goal of $3,000 (we always like to do things in 3’s at ThreeWill… including having campsite #3).  The overall event raised over $150,000 that night for the fight against cancer.  Thanks for everyone’s support!

This event (as it did last year) gave me time to reflect on my cancer experience.  My treatment seems so distant, but this walk reminds me of the struggle and pain others have and are going through.  It is too easy to take life for granted.  This event helps ground me in the reality of how fragile life is and celebrate the blessing of life.  Thank God for Life!

You can find pictures of the event on flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/8849782@N07/sets/72157617776857542/

Here is our team page for Relay for Life - http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=13043&team_id=380700