Here in Doral, I am hundreds of miles from my first Relay experience, and my dad has long since lost his battle with brain cancer. However, the mission of the Relay for Life remains the same: Celebrate those who are fighting, Remember those who have been lost to cancer and Fight Back against this widespread enemy. The 2014 Relay for Life of Doral will embody this mission and continue to support all those in our community who have been touched by cancer. For me, Relay is a very small way to give back the love and support my family received so generously all those years ago. I am greatly honored to have the opportunity to Chair this year’s event. Relay for Life is all about HOPE: Hope for Survivors that they can beat the disease, and Hope that, together, we can find a cure. Each and every member of our beautiful community is invited to join the Fight by participating, making a donation, or attending the 2014 Relay for Life of Doral.
On April 25, the Relay for Life teams will come together at JC Bermudez Park. Each team will have their own tent, around the outside of the Relay track, selling goods and services to all who attend. Members of each team will take turns walking, running, dancing, or whatever moves them, around the track. Relay is not an athletic event. Participating teams are asked to keep one person on the track for the duration of the 13 hour event. After all, cancer Survivors don’t give up, so neither will we! Throughout the event, all participants and visitors will enjoy performances by local children’s groups, music by local bands, games, karaoke, as well as other entertainment to keep the energy and excitement going. At 7:00 PM, our event will kick off by Celebrating all cancer Survivors in our community. They are the stars of our event, treated to a catered banquet and gifts donated by the community. They will lead us in the first lap of the Relay event, demonstrating their nevergive- up spirit. At 9:30 PM, things will quiet down and the lights will go off. It’s time to Remember. The Luminaria ceremony is a very emotional, beautiful ceremony, lit only by the candles inside of the Luminaria bags lining the track. This is our quiet time to remember those who have fought valiantly, but were lost to cancer and to reflect on our memories. Everyone in the community is invited to decorate a Luminary bag and proudly add it to the track in honor or memory of their loved ones. At the close of the Luminaria Ceremony, we begin to focus on Fighting Back. We continue to walk the track, to raise money in our tents, and to fill each and every person in attendance with HOPE that, together, we can build a cancer free community!
