The Relay for Life of Brown County invites sponsors and the community to the “Chili Kick-off” from noon to 2pm March 13 at the Grand Starz, located on 2323 Belle Plain in Brownwood. Come out and have fun tasting the various kinds of chili made by the committee members and learn more about Relay for Life.
Donations will be accepted, but are not required. Team captains, survivors and caregivers are encouraged to come out and register for this year’s Relay set for June 3 from 6pm to 6am at Gordon Wood Stadium.
The symbolic overnight event is to raise money for the American Cancer Society, to promote cancer research, prevention, and awareness. The Relay for Life event itself is symbolic of the journey of a cancer patient.
Relay for life starts at dusk and ends at the next day’s morning. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotion, and mental state of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.
The Relay begins when the sun is setting. This symbolizes the time that the person has been diagnosed as having cancer. The day is getting darker and this represents the cancer patient’s state of mind as they feel that their life is coming to an end.
As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient does. Around 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. represents the time when the cancer patient starts treatment. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As a participant, you have been walking and feel much the same way. You are tired, want to sleep, maybe even want to go home, but you cannot stop or give up.
Around 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. symbolizes the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again they are tired, but they know they will make it.
The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient.
They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient. As a participant, you will feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of the Relay is close at hand.
When you leave the Relay, think of the cancer patient leaving their last treatment. Just as you are exhausted and weak, so is that person after treatment.
For more information about the kick-off or Brown County’s Relay for Life, please contact Jolyn Knight at 325-998-0661 or Casey Rowlett at 325-647-2551.
