"One day. One night. One community. One fight." That's the motto that was printed on so many of the Relay for Life t-shirts circling the event this year. Relay for Life started in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt wanted to raise money for the American Cancer Society. He walked in circles for a long 24 hours while friends, family and strangers donated 25 dollars to walk or run alongside of him. Because of this, today, Relay for Life is a 12-hour event in which teams or individuals commit to walking in circles as we celebrate, remember, and fight back.
Celebrate: At 6:00 p.m., The Funkhouser Center was packed. From sports teams, to clubs, to members from the community, we were ready to pack the track for the next 12 hours. To our left and to our right, we were surrounded by survivors, caregivers, and those who are currently fighting the terrible disease we call cancer. As those who were mentioned above walked a lap, strangers came together to cheer and clap. The night continued on with games, good food and great company as we all celebrated life.
Photo Courtesy of: Annie Sullivan
Remember: As the sunset and the lights dimmed we took time to honor those who have been touched by cancer and remember those lost. Around the gym sat hundreds of luminaria, which are bags filled with sand and in this case fake candles inside. Each bag represents a person who has been affected by cancer. Each bag has a story. We walked in silence, together, to remember.
Photo Courtesy of: Ian Mayes
Photo Courtesy of: Emily Townsend
Fight Back: Night turned into morning. Crowds thinned but many stayed, continuing to walk in circles, committing to take a stand and fight back. As a whole, Bridgewater College raised $25,784, surpassing our goal by almost one thousand dollars. Whether we raised $1 or $4000, we came together as a school, a community, and we fought back.
No matter how much or how little you gave or raised, why you participated or how many times you circled that track, you helped the American Cancer Society save lives. So for that, we celebrate. For those who have lost loved ones, we remember. And because Cancer angers us, we fight.
