Remember

On Friday night, Northern Illinois University held its Relay for Life. The Convocation Center was filled with students who had formed teams; some honoring family members and friends who have survived cancer or are currently undergoing treatment, and others uniting in memory of those who have passed away as a result of the disease.

The money raised at the many Relays held throughout the country supports the efforts of the American Cancer Society, which is the largest private funder of cancer research in the United States. The ACS not only supports vital research and clinical trials of new drugs, but provides nutrition and lifestyle-choice advice for the maintenance of good health, screenings to assist in early detection of certain cancers, insurance advice to patients, a peer-system with survivors and caregivers offering encouragement to those currently undergoing treatment, and many other valuable services.

I mentioned Erin's remarkable friend Kristin Hoffman in an earlier post. Kristin, the NIU volleyball team's setter, personally raised the impressive amount of over $1500. She was the Relay's fifth highest fundraising participant, adding to her volleyball team's total of approximately $3500, the third highest amount of the 89 registered teams of NIU students that together raised $69,000.

Participants had set up tables and activity stations around the track; some promoting awareness of cancer-related issues, and others offering more fundraising opportunities through a variety of games, contests and the sale of baked goods.

Team members and those of us in attendance walked the track, chatted, laughed and took part in the activity station games while enjoying the company of one another.

At 9:00pm the atmosphere changed, as the Luminaries were lit and the Ceremony of Hope began. We gathered together and listened as one brave student spoke, sharing the personal impact of cancer on her life; with her father having passed away from the disease, her mother now a survivor. As two students, one playing the guitar and the other lending his vocal talent, performed The Beatles' "Let It Be", a touching Powerpoint presentation was projected on a large screen. Team participants had submitted names and photographs of survivors and of those who have died, each a cherished loved-one of someone present, and we sat in witness and quietly honored every one of those courageous individuals. Kristin had submitted a beautiful photo of Erin taken at prom along with volleyball pictures.

After the Ceremony, we were asked to return to the track and walk in silent regard of our loved ones. Everyone did so, with deep reverence, past the Luminaries that lined the track - small yet strong emanations of faith and hope, announcing the names of those we cherished.


When Erin was hospitalized during her second chemo treatment back in January of 2007, her volleyball teammates visited and hung signs on the walls with inspirational quotes written on them, to encourage and remind her of their support as she began the cancer path.


As Kristin and I walked the path Friday night she took my hand, and together with tears flowing freely we lapped the track in silence. I thought back to one of the quotes she brought to Erin.

Remember,
we all stumble,
every one of us.

That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.

~Emily Kimbrough

thank you again Kristin...