Shoals Area

Relay For Life 2005

& Cancer Survivor's Celebration

May 13th, 2005

7:00 P.M. - 7:00 A.M.

Celebrate the 20th year of the Relay For life.

A "survivor" is anyone living with a history of cancer _ from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.

Click on the balloons to stop them from floating.

Hover your mouse over a photo to see a description of photo.

Survivors and their guests were treated to a delicious meal before the Relay began.

During the "Survivor's Lap, "Celebrate" by KC & The Sun Shine Band was playing.  To hear it, please click on the "OK" button, and you will be magically transported to the music.

Dorothy and I walked the Survivors Lap together.  We had to walk slowly on account of my COPD.  Others in the Survivors Lap passed us by.  Suddenly one of the men who was walking in memory of his grandmother came up to me and asked me if I would let him carry my portable oxygen bag for me.  I told him that I would try to carry it myself, but he insisted.  We continued on with Johnny carrying my oxygen bag for me until we got half way around the track at which time I was gasping for breathe.  We stepped off the track and Johnny asked one of the onlookers if I could borrow his chair to sit down and rest.  He gladly gave it up.  Then a lady at the booth brought me a bottle of cold water to refresh myself.  After a few minutes I got up and we finished walking the rest of the Survivor's Lap together.  At that time the MC asked everyone to let their balloons go, and off they rose into the wild blue yonder.

After the Survivors lined up for the Survivor's Lap, the MC gave out prizes to the Youngest Cancer Survivor, the Oldest Cancer Survivor and the person who has been a Cancer Survivor the longest period of time.  A local Travel Agency donated a $900 value All Expense Paid Weekend Trip (including hotel and air fare) for two to be taken in December.  The trip is to Callaway Gardens, GA where they put on a beautiful "Fantasy In Lights Holiday Production".  Dorothy went up to the MC and the Travel Agency people and told them that we could not travel because I have to be on oxygen 24 hours a day on account of my COPD, and asked them to draw another ticket and give the prize to someone else.  It would have been wonderful to make that trip, one to remember for the rest of our lives.  But it could not be.