24 Hours Dedicated to the Fight Against Cancer

Some people do it for themselves. Some people do it to remember loved ones lost. Some people do it to celebrate survival. But everyone involved in the Relay for Life has something in common—his or her lives have been touched by cancer.

This weekend, the American Cancer Society will host its .

Danielle Bolliger, a co-chair for the Tolland Relay for Life and participant for 12 years said one of her favorite parts of the event takes place as the sun sets and the luminaries come to life.

The bags, part of the official Luminaria Ceremony, line the walking route and illuminate the names of loved ones lost and those honored who are now cancer free or currently fighting.

“Even though it can be very emotional, it is also very moving,” Bolliger said.

With the field lit with these bags, it is apparent just how many people have been affected.

“We've all been touched in some way by cancer, whether it's a family member, a friend or just ourselves,” Rose Abery, a survivor and participant in Relay for Life, said.

Abery had a lump removed in 2009 after a routine mammogram that tested positive for breast cancer. More tissue was later removed and she also went through radiation. A year later, she said she “wasn’t feeling quite right” and noticed a large mass in her abdomen. During surgery, a stromal sarcoma was found where surgeons expected to find a large fibroid. Thankfully, the sarcoma was detected and removed early, so “no further treatments were needed,” Abery said.

Relay for Life is a chance for people to recognize and celebrate people like Abery. People like Bolliger’s mother, who served on the planning committee and was a survivor. She passed away in 2001 from breast cancer.

Bolliger has participated in Relay for Life ever since.

Last year, one of the most well liked moments of the relay was the opening lap, a time when survivors walk the first lap and are met half way by caregivers, including doctors and people who helped them through their fight, with a flower.

“It was so well liked,” Bolliger said, “that we’re doing that again this year.”

Last year was also Abery’s first time participating in the Relay for Life.

“It was such a positive and rewarding experience,” she said. “The cancer society does wonderful things not only to find new treatments, but they also help walk people through a very scary time.”

Abery said, “It is great to see so many willing participants actively trying to raise money for such a worthy cause. Without research funds, the things the Cancer Society can do, would not be possible.”

A new event that you can expect at this year’s relay is a new caregiver breakfast on Saturday morning. This will act as a chance for survivors and friends and families to show their appreciation for those who helped victims during their fight.

The Relay for Life will be held this Friday and Saturday at Tolland Middle School. Opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Friday night, and the event will continue through closing ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Melissa Franklin at Melissa.Franklin@Cancer.org or 203-379-4887.