By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Last year, the Relay for Life event held at the Caribou High School outside track proved to be the largest in northern relay history, earning the title of the largest growing relay in New England (from 225) event.
According to Tracy Deschaine, a member of the Relay Committee, as of now there are 69 teams with more than 700 individuals registered to participate in the 2011 Relay for Life, scheduled to take place on June 3, on the outside track at Caribou High School.
“We are calling on all cancer survivors — Relay is an event which focuses on honoring those lost to cancer but perhaps more importantly, it strives to bring forth those of us who have survived,” said Deschaine. “We have a short few weeks left before the event, but we want everyone to pore-resister online and walk the Survivor Lap which kicks off the event — you do not have to be part of a team to register as a survivor.”
“Speaking from a survivor standpoint,” added Deschaine, “ Relay is a life changing event — words cannot express the joy, comfort and sense of community at a place where everyone comes together honoring the brave individuals who are facing cancer.” “Cancer IS a life altering diagnosis, but it no longer has to be taboo,” she continued, “ be proud you survived and share your story. Your story may very well become the HOPE someone else needs to get through.”
“Money raised through the annual Relay for Life does make a difference. The American Cancer Society cannot help each individual diagnosed on a personal level, but they do help fund laboratories that lead to finding cures. I am here today because people before me cared enough to ‘relay,’ stated Deschaine.
For more information on the Relay for Life cancer walk, go to www.relayforlife.org/aroostookme.
Deschaine reminds everyone, “ We hope you will all join us in our fight against cancer — you never know when our fight may become your own.”
