For the past few months, a wonderful group of volunteers from Blanco County have been working hard on planning out this year’s Relay For Life of Blanco County. Every extra minute of their time and thoughts have been focused on Celebrating Twenty-Five years of Fighting Back. Some people ask why do we do this? What do we benefit from being apart of Relay For Life?

Those answers are simple, we are doing our part in fighting back against a deadly disease that has effected us all in one way or another. In this day and time everyone of us that live in Blanco County has been effected by cancer in one way or another. Whether it was a diagnosis of a family member, a friend, or even our own selves; we all have seen the effects of cancer and we do our part to stand up so that our lives will never be effected by those words “You Have Cancer”.

Even though Relay For Life has been held in cities across the United States for twenty-five years, Blanco County is still a baby compared to other Relay For Life. We are in our fifth year and proudly putting on our walking shoes to do what we all feel that is in our hearts.

One question that I hear a lot is, why is Relay For Life held at night? The best way to explain is it is to compare to the lives of those that have given us a reason to Relay.

The Relay Begins as the sun is starting to set. This symbolizes the time that the person has been diagnosed with cancer. The day is getting darker, and this represents the cancer patient’s state of mind as they feel that life is coming to an end.

As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient do. Around 1:00am to 2:00am represents the time when the cancer patient starts treatments. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on possibly wanting to give up. Participants in Relay feel much the same way while walking during these hours.

They cannot stop or give up, just as the cancer patient cannot stop or give up. Around 4:00am to 5:00am.symbolizes the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again they are tired, but they know they will make it.

The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient. Participants feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of the Relay is close at hand.

When participants leave the Relay, they can think of cancer patients leaving their last treatment. Just as participants are exhausted and weak, so is that person after treatment. So, that’s why we are here. To Celebrate those that have fought this dreaded disease or are currently fighting it, Remember those that are no longer with us, and Fight Back against this disease by giving of yourself through your time and/or resources.

On April 25th 2009, Relay For Life will be held at the Blanco High School Field in Blanco, TX. With wonderful volunteers from the community that have formed teams, local business that have sponsored our efforts, and the lives that have been touched cancer; we will come together as one to fight back against cancer and do our parts to stop this deadly disease

On the night of Relay, we will have entertainment of the Blanco Super Squad, a former WWE super star will be making an appearance to sign autographs and take pictures for donations, a local race car driver will have his race truck in Relay Gear, and much much more entertainment to keep us all moving all night long!

At nine o’ clock, the heartfelt luminaria ceremony will take place as we honor all of those that we have lost and all of those that are fighting back.

We will have our famous silent auction and maybe another three o’clock in the morning dance contest for all of those that are still up.

As the Relay ends, we will once again have a sunrise service for those that would like to attend. We would also like to invite all the survivors to join us once again at seven o’clock in the morning for a second survivor’s lap. As the Relay For Life of Blanco County comes to an end, whether it is your first time to attend or your fifth, you know in your hearts exactly why we Relay. This is the reason why we come together as one community to stand up and FIGHT BACK against cancer.

If you would like to help with the committee you can contact Kasi Baker at 210-837-9973 or Mandi Welch at 830-385-5559. If you would like to start up a team you can contact Sylvia Romero at 512-461-6337, Survivorship Tricia Heartman at 512-636-6213 and for Luminarias Laura Jenschke at 512-971-9097. You may also go to our website at www.relayforlife.org/blancocotx.

We would like to thank each and every one of you in advanced for all of your help, donations, and support that keeps Relay For Life of Blanco County growing stronger year after year.