I know that this is a topic from last summer, but I thought I'd go ahead and respond.
My service sorority participates in the Relay for Life every summer. One of our alumnae was diagnosed with cancer when she was a sophmore, so the American Cancer Society has become one of our big philanthropies. The Relay is really amazing! It occurs from sundown to sunup, and symbolizes the journey that a cancer patient goes through. Dusk symbolizes the initial diagnosis, then as the night gets colder and darker participants are reminded of how difficult and emotional a cancer patient's life can become. The rising sun in the morning symbolizes the end of treatment and the continuation of life.
The lumniary ceremony is indeed very moving. It can be for those diagnosed with cancer who survived or a memorial to those that did not make it. Last summer our team's luminary was a giant old refrigerator box, and two girls stood in it for hours with flashlights!
It's truly a great cause, and I thought I would let you all know about a fundraiser that we are doing in March. I am a Mary Kay consultant, and for the month of March I am donating 100% of the profits from my sales to our chapter's Relay for Life fund. So, if anyone is in need of makeup and would like to help our philanthropy, you can visit
www.marykay.com/jmitchell7. If no one does, that's okay. I'm not trying to solicit for myself, but the relay really is a good cause!
And there are relays all over the country, too. Our sorority uses it as a summer reunion type event, so if any of you are looking for a good thing to do in the summer time, definately look for the Relay for Life in your area!
[This message has been edited by pbear19 (edited February 26, 2001).]