Relay For Life

Sandy's sister, Beth, along with her husband, Chris, and children, Ryan, Lauren, and Lindsay decided to raise money for the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life. Many people who participate in Relay For Life do it in honor of someone they love who has been stricken by cancer.

The 24-hour team relay event was a few weekends ago in Ohio, and consisted of a grueling 200 mile bike ride on Friday followed by a twenty-four hour walkathon on Saturday. Chris rode the bike, and Beth, Ryan, Lauren, and Lindsay all hoofed it through the walk. During the walk, they covered an aditional 150 miles. Chris also did the walk after the bike...bike shorts or not, that seat's gotta chafe!

The Relay web site describes it well, "Relay For Life opens as cancer survivors take the first lap. This emotional time sets the stage for the importance of each participant's contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops as participants make new friends and spend time with old ones. Highlighting the evening is a luminaria Ceremony of Hope held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember loved ones lost to cancer. The luminaria candles line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions."

The goal of Relay for Life is to eliminate cancer in our lifetime. A worthy goal, indeed. According to the ACS web site, "At these events in 4800+ communities nationwide, teams of familes friends and co workers join together to CELEBRATE the lives of those who have battled cancer, REMEMBER those that lost the fight, and FIGHT BACK against a disease that takes too much." The format and history of the event are quite interesting. You can read more on the ACS website via this link http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/about

Sandy was one of the honorees of their efforts, as you might expect. Unfortunately, Sandy is not the only one in their family who has been affected by cancer. In the time that it took to print the tshirts you see in the photo, Chris's dad, Karl, was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer and underwent surgery. Fortunately, Poppy, as the kids call him, is rebounding quickly and doing very well.

Many of you know that my mother, Harriett, was also diagnosed with lung cancer in February 2006. Her battle continues today.

It is a devstating disease that just demands too much of too many of us. It seems that any goal short of eliminating cancer is just unacceptable. The Schlabach's impressive efforts raised $7200+ towards that goal for the American Cancer Society!

THANK YOU Beth, Chris, Ryan, Lauren, and Lindsay!