I stopped asking myself this question during my junior year of high school. I participated in my first Relay for Life that year, and the event answered all the questions I had been asking myself as to how to make a change. Relay for Life is something so special - so profound- that I, along with many others, come back year after year. The search for the cure for cancer will never stop, and I won't quite my role in the process until the big "C" stands for "Cure". So here they are- 5 reasons you should most definitely relay:

1. Make a difference.

This is a community that operates around love, hope, faith, and determination. Let yourself be a part of the upset cancer brings to so many. Relay to put yourself into a cause that matters-- trying to hep find a cure for cancer, and helping to create more birthdays.

2. Meet some heroes.

Cancer survivors and caretakers go by a different name- modern day heroes. Their fight isn't portrayed in comic books- it is played out in hospitals, homes, and locations around the world. Survivors come here to help be honored, and man do they deserve it. Their fight is hard to remember, but they are here. Embrace that, and embrace them.

3. Become Aware.

Each Relay for Life has a speaker, or multiple, that give voice to the tragedies and triumphs of cancer. Come hear their words. Listen to stories that will inspire you, and give you perspective. These people did not ask for this perspective, but if they can share any inspiration they derived from illness- be willing to listen.

4. Lose Sleep, Gain Strength.

Stay up all night and walk. Walk for those you love, those you honor, those you remember. I can't promise you won't get tired, but you will be losing sleep for a cause that is awakening your character, your strength, and helping such an important cause.

5. Make Memories.

Some of my favorite "fighting" memories have been my mother's first survivor lap at Relay, my own Luminaria speech, the conversations I've had at 4 A.M., but mainly- the feeling of fight I've felt all around me during each one.

Come out Friday, March 24 at 7 P.M to the CNU Fieldhouse to celebrate survivors, and fight for those that have inspired.

Link to register yourself or your team:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=83501&pg=i...