Run for Life is a campaign organized by the Canadian Cancer Society to help raise funds for research, patient support and other services. Linda and I were asked by our financial advisor if we would join her corporate team. She would match all funds raised by her team members. There were ten of us and we did quite well. Actually, we won for most money raised ($12,000). Linda and I found support for a little over $1700. It was a very hot day and even when the event started it was sweaty and humid. We were honoured with a sit down dinner as the big money raisers and then the event started at 7pm. It began with a moving ceremony as 30 current cancer survivors did the first lap of the track at the Flamborough raceway. Then, the other 300 or so joined in. For the rest of the night, we walked in twos for half hour shifts until 7am. We watched lightning in the sky all around us but we only had a brief rain shower around 2am. The wind got very strong at one point, but all in all we fared well. Had a shower as soon as we got home (bug repellient not so nice and sweaty,too) and took a 3 hour nap. We didn't know the other people on our team, so it was nice to meet some people who were prepared to spend the time raising money and spending the night. Thanks to those who did sponsor us. It sometimes seems that so much money is raised for cancer and then I wonder how much progress is occuring. At 10pm, the luminaries were lit. These are candles purchased by sponsors to honour someone they lost to cancer. The track was lined with candles and so were many of the stadium seats. A very sad and sobering sight. A researcher from McMaster spoke of his work and the importance of financial support. The survivors all had tales of hope and promise. It was a good night.
