OPINION: Relay holds special significance in my life

It is time again for an event that holds special interest for me: The Relay for Life. Relays are scheduled in most area communities during the month of May. Here, in Madison County, the Relay is set for Friday, May 1, in Danielsville.

Most of you know by now that I am a cancer survivor. So, naturally, I have strong reasons to support any effort to combat that far-too-common disease. The American Cancer Society through its signature program, Relay for Life, is a leader in that effort.

Relay for Life is more than a fund-raiser, although your donations are important. It is a program that allows cancer patients, their families and caregivers a chance to come together to be entertained, informed and encouraged in their battle.

The local event will start at 6 p.m. at the Madison County Recreation Department track. The Survivors’ lap, in which I plan to participate, starts at 6:30. At least 17 Relay teams will then take the track for an all-night effort to log as many laps and raise as much money, as possible.

At 9:15 p.m. the Luminaria Ceremony of Hope will begin. As the sun sets over campsites and darkness falls, the night is brightened by the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria, each of which has a special meaning. Some celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and have lived to tell their stories. Many remember the lives of those who have been lost to this disease.

Announcements, presentations and various entertainment will occupy the bandstand during the evening. The Holman-Autry band will play from 10 p.m. to midnight. The FIGHT BACK ceremony begins at 12:30 and games and activities will continue throughout the night. Closing ceremonies will begin at 6 a.m. For more information contact Katie.Cullinan@cancer.org

Perhaps the best weapon we have against cancer is information. And that is one of the key goals of the American Cancer Society. Information about the causes of cancer, ways to prevent it, and most importantly the early detection programs that can save so many lives. Early detection is the key to my survival. When my colon cancer was discovered, it was still at stage two, meaning that it was treatable with surgery and chemotherapy.

I had surgery in July 2007. In February 2008 I completed my course of chemotherapy. Since then, I have been checked for the presence of cancer every three months, and as of now, no cancer can be found. Other than the regular screening visits to the clinic, my life has returned to near normalcy. Had I put off the rather unpleasant test that found the cancer for another year, my chances of survival would have been greatly reduced.

So my suggestion to all of you is call your doctor and schedule a cancer test. Don’t be afraid of it. If you find it early, you can defeat it. Then come to Danielsville on Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m. for the Relay For Life. There will be many of us there who can talk to you about the disease and how we overcame it. And while you are there, enjoy the displays, the ceremonies and the music.

Life is good. Don’t let cancer bring it to an end too soon.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/