25th Wedding Anniversary Adventure
In 2005 I attended my first Relay for Life as a team captain and personally walked 18 of the 24 hours for my new team. My Aunt Pauline had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and I wanted to walk to support her and bring awareness to this disease that could strike so unexpectedly. The following year I walked in her memory. In 2007 I started Team Celia in support of a 22 year old friend who had just been diagnosed with bone cancer and the following year we walked in her memory.
I joined the committee and continued as a team captain for the Chugiak Eagle River Relay for Life until my family relocated back to our home state of Florida. The week after I attended my first Florida Relay and met with the Event Chair about volunteering I received a call that my Cliff's Grandma had terminal cancer after beating the odds and surviving liver cancer years prior. I instead volunteered my time to be with and take care of Grandma Mae throughout her final months. This came within months of having lost my Grandma Mariam Skinner to Leukemia and my Uncle Clarence to his long battle with a skin cancer that had invaded his jaw bone necessitating him to be on a liquid diet for the last years of his life.
Cliff and I are celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary and he asked me where I wanted to go, Hawaii, the Bahamas? I told him that weekend was Chugiak Eagle River Relay… So we are going to Alaska! I have started a team and joined the committee that I've continued to work with virtually. Relay will take place at the Harry J McDonald Field on Friday August 2nd at 7pm until Saturday August 3rd at 3pm.
At the event we camp out overnight, keeping a member of our team walking around the track at all times representing the fact that Cancer Never Sleeps. I have met many new people all with their own personal stories to share. There is an incredible tribute to cancer survivors and caregivers that starts off the night with a moving ceremony of remembrance honoring those who have fought the disease. Later the night lights up with a beautiful luminaria walk in memory of those we have lost. I can truly say Relay is unlike anything else you’ll ever experience. I will be on the track from 11pm to 7am encouraging walkers throughout the night with theme laps, games and activities. I will be leading my team "We Remember" throughout the entire event so please feel free to come out and cheer us on at anytime.
Please help me in my efforts to fight back against cancer by visiting my personal page at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/akcyndilyn and make a donation to support the American Cancer Society. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. Your donation is tax deductible.
I sincerely thank you,
Cindy Lynn James
Every dollar counts and helps me reach my goal!
We took a drive out along the Steese Highway tonight and stopped along the way to take a look at the Alaskan Pipeline. It was interesting and it is amazing to see land unending for miles and miles uninhabited.