Thursday, May 28, 2009

Relay For Life

The following is an email I have just sent out. Since I don't have everyone's email who has followed this blog, I wanted to share with all of our loyal followers!

Hey Friends and Family,

Just wanted to pass along some info regarding Relay for Life. Their website appears to be a little confusing, so wanted to explain the process and provide a tentative schedule for those of you that are able and willing to walk with us at the event. Our team is called "A We Process."

What is Relay for Life?
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event.
Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people to:
Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.
Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.
Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.


When and Where?
It begins Friday, June 12th at 7:00 pm at Bonner Springs High School track and concludes Saturday, June 13th at 7:00 am. The cancer survivors walk (or in Jayme's case, ride) the first lap which is at 7:00 pm. If you are also a cancer survivor, Jayme would love some company with him for the first lap! If you want to be there for the beginning, it has been suggested that you arrive no later than 6:30-6:45 pm. Caregivers walk the second lap and then our team will join in and have at least one member on the track all night. Let me emphasize that you do not have to stay all night. We'd love to have you for whatever time you can share with us.

Other Activities
I have been told the event is a carnival-like atmosphere with activities and games. There is an area for kids as well. At 10:00 pm they light luminaries and honor those lost to cancer. If you want to purchase a luminary (I bought one to honor my mom), they are $5 and can be purchased when you arrive. Following the luminaries will be fireworks, provided by the sponsors and captain of our team, Chele and Danny Muder.

How Our Team Got Started
When the home health agency I work for, Blessed Trinity in Bonner Springs, found out about Jayme's cancer battle, they wanted to do something. They asked us if we would like to participate in Relay for Life and have a team in honor of Jayme's survival. I had never heard of it, but the more I heard, the more I liked. Not only is it about raising money to fight cancer, it is also about heightening people's awareness of this disease and the battle cancer victims fight on a daily basis. So thank you Chele, Sonya and Alice for getting this thing off the ground and organizing!

What You Need To Do To Participate
Just show up! You do not need to register on the website to walk. If you would like to donate, go to the following link, scroll down to my name, or any of the names and click on the name. Then click on "Donate" and follow the instructions.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09PL?pg=team&fr_id=17271&team_id=450140

So please walk with us, donate, or both!

T-shirts
We have ordered t-shirts that you can pre-order or buy at the event. They are $10 and the proceeds will all go to the American Cancer Society. They are black with white lettering and say "Survival is A We Process." We have preordered 60 shirts, so you may want to call or email me if you would like to order a shirt in advance. We'll order more if needed. You can pay the night of the event.

Jayme Update
He is doing well, but we know it will be a long and arduous recovery. He is still on tube feedings, but he is trying to eat more daily. He has lost around 40#, but has actually put on a few pounds this week. Pain is still present, but less than it was a few weeks ago. Nausea is still a culprit, so he is experimenting with medication and food to try to conquer that issue. His endurance is still slowing him down, but he is now walking without a device and going up and down stairs several times a day. It wears him out to read or get on his laptop for more than 20 minutes, so he spends alot of time watching TV and napping. Now some wouldn't complain about that life!

He is still receiving in home physical therapy, and hopefully, will be able to tolerate out patient therapy by next week. He is getting out with me or friends on occasion and I hope that will continue and become more frequent. He is more independent overall which has allowed me to get back to work on a part-time basis.

Please feel free to call or email me with any questions!

-- Kay Findlay
Reece & Nichols Roberts
913-709-7160 (cell)
913-299-1600 (office)

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