What Should We Do About Relay? Don't Just Complain, Get Involved

On Aug. 11, I had the pleasure of meeting cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters during the Northeast Montana Relay for Life. This was my first year participating in the event, and I was blown away at the solidarity everyone in attendance had in their experiences with cancer. I attended Relay as a supporter. My grandmother passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, my grandmother-in-law passed away after two bouts of breast cancer, my grandfather-in-law passed away from lung cancer. My friend from college, who got married last year and welcomed his first child this year, has been battling brain cancer since 2013 and will fight the fight for the rest of his life. Another friend’s five-year-old son is currently in remission of liver cancer after being diagnosed at the age of one.

Northeast Montana is such a secluded area. Patients who are diagnosed with cancer often have to travel elsewhere for treatment, which puts a toll on them, their family and their day-to-day life. After receiving the devastating news, funds have to be utilized for travel, housing, food, etc. while being away from home during treatment. The Cancer Club isn’t a club you would ever want to be a part of, but if you have to be a part of it, the best way is to have a support system. A system that includes those who have walked down the uncharted path before, those who have caregived, those who have had the experience. There is a sense of solidarity in that, which will help build the strength and the assistance necessary to fight the battle.

It saddened me to hear from the Relay for Life committee members that participation in Relay has decreased over the years. There are less luminarias being purchased, less teams participating to help raise funds for the cause, less survivors attending and there are even less committee members to help organize. I can understand why participation in the event itself was down this year because the weather topped out at over 100 degrees and the air conditioned indoors probably sounded more comfortable. But what I don’t understand is how the event has decreased in participation year after year. I heard stories of the event being held in the GHS gymanisum, because that was the only location where all of the sold luminarias would fit. The emotions invoked of hearing your loved ones’ names being honored or remembered read out loud for all to hear. Survivors coming out to take the lap, to discuss their journey, learn about new resources and get their questions answered.

Some feedback that was received at the event was one possible reason that overall participation was low because the funds aren’t staying locally. That resources that used to be available are not as easily accessible for those who are fighting the fight. My response to that: Do Something About It. Join the Relay for Life committee and be part of the solution. Find out the how and why the resources aren’t available anymore. Be Involved. Don’t just sit idle and complain about the what used to be. Be a part of the solution.

Cancer doesn’t care where you live or how old you are. That was evident by looking at all of the obituaries and service programs on display of those who lost the battle. There were children, there were teenagers, there were mothers, daughters, sons, fathers. Cancer didn’t care who those people were or what their livelihood was. The only way to fight cancer is to allow scientists, engineers, developers, etc. to find a cure to prevent cancer from becoming a part of anyone’s lives. In order to assist those people, funds need to be raised, and the whole community needs to come together to help raise those funds and to bring awareness to the cause.

The Relay for Life Committee meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Busted Knuckle. For more information on how to join, contact Rod Karst or Jamie Seyfert.