The Relay For Life Youth Retreat is a place to inform students about the American Cancer Society in a relaxed and fun environment. Students will learn about the benefits of participating with their local Relay For Life community event and why we fundraise.

The Youth Retreat is intended to bring 50-100 students, chaperones, and American Cancer Society staff together to explore how high school students can get involved in the fight against cancer!

Click here for more information about the Youth Retreat of Southern Arizona, 2010.

SURVIVORS:
The Heart and Sole of Relay!

Each and every relayer has his or her own reason for relaying, but we all have “survivors” in common. It is our desire to see more survivors, to know that every person who hears the words“you have cancer” will not be afraid, but know it is just a pill, a shot or some other treatment that will eliminate the cancer from their body.

Until that day, we relay for those special moments – those moments that highlight why we relay, that let us know that “people don’t care how much we know, but know how much we care.” This moment was defined for Leann Komm, Relay For Life of Vancouver, WA on July 18, 2009 in an email to her relay friends:

I want to share the crowning moment of my Relay experience this year.

While getting coffee at the wonderful all night HOPE Coffee cart, a lady Survivor was speaking to another Survivor about her FIRST Survivor Lap experience.

She said "I didn't know if I could make it all the way around the track because I was so overwhelmed with the cheers and love that I felt." Then, when asked how she felt when one of us put the Survivor Medal around her neck she said "my breath was taken away and I cried because I felt so special!"

When I heard those words I cried and told her she just made my whole Relay year all worth it. I knew that all we go through -- the long hours, the meetings, the people we can't always make happy, the committee squabbles, etc., just don’t matter -- it is all about “the survivors and, the difference we make in their lives.”

American Cancer Society – Relay For Life Cancer Survivor and Caregiver Engagement

The American Cancer Society believes that each individual has the right to define his or her own experience with cancer and considers a cancer survivor to be anyone who defines himself or herself this way, from the time of diagnosis throughout the balance of his or her life. A Caregiver is a family member, friend, loved one, or other support person who lends physical, emotional, or other support to someone throughout the cancer journey.

Relay For Life affords communities a unique opportunity to bring cancer survivors and caregivers together for the purpose of honoring the hope they symbolize in the cancer journey. This allows time to share important program and service information, as well as a means of engaging them in the work of the American Cancer Society year round. The following model assists Relay For Life communities in planning and implementing a strong Survivor/Caregiver Program.

How is this accomplished?
Follow the steps outlined in the HOPE Model – Honor, Opportunity, Provide, Engage.

Joleen's Story

Joleen Goss describes being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in June 2001 as “probably quite similar to being hit by a very fast moving train. It takes your breath away, knocks you back a few steps.” But for Joleen that feeling lasted only a few seconds and then came the questions on how to proceed as well as sharing the news with family and friends.

To answer a lot of her questions Joleen turned to the American Cancer Society Web site where she researched information and joined the survivors' network for support.

Armed with this new information Joleen then turned to her spirituality, family, friends and the knowledge that people care and are working hard to prevent and cure cancer, to give her hope in her battle against the disease.

Joleen eventually won her battle and decided to give back by becoming an American Cancer Society volunteer to help people become aware of cancer, and to let them know that there are ways to prevent cancers. She also talks to her legislators about cancer issues to raise awareness and ask for help.

Joleen has had a number of special moments as a Society volunteer. One such experience comes to mind.

“A lady I didn't know came up to me, to tell me I was her hero. She had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and was working through the initial ‘stuff' of being diagnosed. Some friends of hers were talking about how I had hit the ground running after the cancer diagnosis, my positive attitude, etc. She just wanted someone to listen to her challenges.”

“If I find out someone has just been diagnosed, I let them know I am here for them, no matter what or when and then I just listen,” said Joleen.

Her volunteer efforts over the years have included helping with Relay For Life. Recently she served very successfully as a Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) Chair for her local Relay.One of her fondest Relay memories was her first Relay

.

“My first Relay For Life was in Sierra Vista , Ariz. , I was to lead the survivor lap. While setting stuff up for the Relay, I met a young family; their 3-year-old daughter had been born with cancer and had spent more of her young life in hospitals than at home. I asked her parents if it was OK if their daughter could help lead the survivor lap. Then I was meeting some other survivors and met a 6-year-old girl that had just completed chemo. She was bald and smiling. I asked her to also help lead the survivor lap. I carried the 3 year old and held the hand of the 6 yr old. The three of us walked that survivor lap, proud as peacocks. I was thrilled to share that first Relay For Life lap with those two.”

So what continues to inspire Joleen to continue to fight back against cancer? She sums it up simply “Knowing in the near future, people will not have to hear the words, ‘it's cancer.'”