2008 Relay for Life a Huge Disappointment

Over $490,000 was raised by some 1200 people. Over 150 Survivors released balloons to celebrate beating the odds. Edmonton boasts one of the largest and most successful Relays anywhere in the world. And, despite the coldest wettest year in a while, there were more people still walking the track at 7 a.m. this year than I can remember since I discovered Relay, wearing smiles that made their bleary eyes pierce through the grey morning-after with palpable HOPE.

What's so disappointing about that?  Look at this flag.  Each flag like this handed out to the remaining relayers represents a person in Alberta who will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

See this crowd?  Most of these people were carrying 3 or 4 flags each.

And everyone, present company included, was discussing plans for next year.  What that represents to me is twofold.  First is the disappointment in feeling the need to keep returning year after year because we don't have a cure yet.  Second, is HOPE.  HOPE to find better treatments, HOPE to find  cure, HOPE to end the Relay for Life because cancer is history.

Christy Parker and Christine McCourt, organizers of the Edmonton Relay for Life, expressed their own HOPE: to still break the half-million fundraising mark year.  Online pledges are open for another week.  Please, if you haven't donated, if you have more to donate, please visit their site and pledge now.

I have SO MANY stories to tell.  First, I need to help my son celebrate his 11th birthday this afternoon.  Please visit the blog soon to hear the tale of 10 photographers who endeavored to Click Cancer's Butt.