Relay for Life is an all night event put on by the American Cancer Society. It occurs across the country and in 19 others at high schools, on college campuses, and in general communities. The event pulls together community volunteers who work to spread awareness of, organize, and fundraise for these events. Event-goers make and join teams that will relay around the track, keeping one member on at all times. At the end of the night, they will have experienced a multitude of conversations, activities, and emotions. Here are thirteen of the common things you will experience at a Relay for Life event:

1. Excitement

There's a lot of build up to the day. From Paint the Town Purple to kickoff dances to garage sales, you learn that Relay for Life is not really a one night event. If your team goes all out like mine, forget it. The excitement is uncontainable.

2. Celebration

The American Cancer Society considers itself The Official Sponsor of Birthdays. At Relay for Life we celebrate those who have survived the disease. The track or room is decorated with balloons or other items to make the event a celebration of their fight. The first lap is opened just for the survivors and for everyone else to cheer them on.

3. Gratitude

Accompanying the celebration, we have gratitude for our lives and the lives of our loved ones. The event increases your awareness of the number of lives lost to cancer and truly makes you appreciate those around you who have survived or who have (luckily) not had cancer.

4. Remembrance

Unfortunately, cancer claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year. It is known for not discriminating. People of any gender, race, or age, may face a battle with cancer. For those who we have lost to the disease, there are luminaria bags one may choose to decorate in remembrance. This event gives you an opportunity to think about and remember them.

5. Illumination

When the night gets dark or the lights go out, it comes time for the luminaria ceremony. As part of the ceremony, people crack glowsticks little by little to indicate the ways cancer has affected them. Ultimately, you experience the chilling realization that every glowstick is cracked.

6. Hope

Relay for Life provides you with hope that things are going to change. The more information shared and money raised, the more you feel you will one day live in a world where hearing you have cancer is not as startling and life changing.

7. Exercise

Prepare to cover some mileage at a Relay for Life event. During the night you walk and walk and walk. Some people even run...

8. Community

Something remarkable about Relay for Life is the community aspect. Whether you are a part of Relay for Life in a general community or at a school, so many different people get involved. You'll see police officers, local EMTs, your hairdresser, your teacher, and your old friends all gathered at the same event.

9. Unity

At Relay for Life, you unite in the fight against cancer. Despite being parts of teams, there really is no divide among the people at the events. Everybody is there for the same reason and is friendly in supporting one another throughout the night. Various families, teams, Greek Organizations, and other clubs and groups of friends come together.

10. Tiredness

As you get into the late hours of the night, you start to feel incredibly tired. Perhaps you were up all day in class, at work, or setting up, and now you've been up walking for hours. The chances of sleeping are slim, but cancer doesn't sleep.

11. Energy

Despite being tired, you will also find yourself with many bursts of energy. When you remember why you're walking and look around at everybody else dedicated to the cause, you can't help but feel energized and dedicated yourself.

12. Accomplishment

When you see how many people arrive and hear how much money was raised, you will know that all of your walking and fundraising has accomplished something. You have made strides towards a world with less cancer and more birthdays

13. Change

My aunt said it best in telling me that at some point during the night Relay for Life changes your life. You might not know when or what specific moment, but the event truly changes you.