Together For Traci

The time has come for us to join together on a special route I’m taking as part of my ongoing journey. This time you get to walk with me.

My friend Sandy Poblete has set up a team in my honor, Together for Traci, for the Relay for Life event to be held June 26-27, 2010 at Santana Park in Corona, California. I feel humbled and honored that her and her family have felt compelled to do something to fight against cancer and to use me as their inspiration.

I’ve personally never participated in a walk of this type. Last year I remember other friends who participated in the first lap which is called the “Survivors Lap”. At that time I was so ill and I couldn’t call myself a survivor. Maybe I was still breathing, but I sure didn’t feel as if I was going to survive. This year is a different story. As I make my first step I will be making it celebrating that I am cancer free. I’m praying that this lung issue will be behind me by June 26th too.

First, let me say that the Relay for Life is not just about breast cancer – it’s about all cancers. I’m not participating because this is about me. This is about anyone who has been affected by cancer – either personally or through a loved one. In my mind this team is “Together for Traci, and others.” I know so many personally who have their own fight going on. Together we can make a difference. I’m so grateful for each dollar that was raised before I had cancer and provided a means of my survival and giving me a second chance of living.

I’ve retrieved the following information from the American Cancer Society’s information page regarding this event. On Saturday, June 26th, the Opening Ceremony will begin at 9:00 am. The Survivors Lap will begin at 9:30 am. Following, each team will have a representative on the track (or path) at all times during the 24 hours. It represents the reality that cancer never sleeps. By participating, you honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives we’ve lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight cancer in your community. At 9:00 pm Saturday evening the Luminaria ceremony will pay tribute to those who have lived to tell their stories or remember the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. The event will end with the Fight Back/Closing Ceremony at 8:30 am on Sunday. It’s going to be a full 24 hours!

There will be several ways you can be a part of this event. I hope you will pick at least one.

1) Join our Team. Sandy has signed up as the Captain and will be overseeing all the details for “Together for Traci.” She is hoping to have 10 to 15 individuals who are committed to being a part of the whole event. I’m hoping for twice that much.

When you select the link below – Click “Join My Team” – Select “Team Member Registration (Pay by Cash or Check)”. If you choose the (Pay Now) button the $10.00 will not go towards the fundraiser total.

Sandy has set a goal to raise $1,500.00 for our team. It only costs $10.00 to join the team, yet a goal of $100 is set per person who joins. If the goal is not met – it doesn’t matter. Each person can personally raise money from friends and family members towards their individual goal. All funds raised are then collected as a whole team. You can still be a member of our team - even if you can't participate at the event. I’m a big dreamer and expect us to reach Sandy’s goal and beyond.

2) Walk for Support. Sandy will have a list that will break up the 24 hours in hour and half-hour increments for walking. We are hoping for our youth and those night owls to take the midnight and early morning shifts. Sandy has plans of having an EZ up for those of us who will be hanging out for most of the time. There will also be a couple of tents for the overnighters. We want it to be a day of celebration. You can email Sandy at sandra.poblete@sbcglobal.net to get on the list to walk.

3) Donate. If you can’t come and walk (or live several thousand miles away and want to help) you can donate in any amount to the team’s efforts. All donations are tax deductable.

4) Stand along the side and CHEER! My one desire is that my family and friends who are also cancer survivors will walk along side me during the Survivors Lap. It’s time to celebrate!! I would love for you to be there for this special time.

You can go to Sandy’s page http://main.acsevents.org/goto/sandy.poblete to sign up for our team. If you only wish to donate you can go to my page at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/traci.murphy. My personal goal is set at $200.00. Jim, Matt, and Katie have their own pages set up too. If you go to Sandy’s page, click on “My Team Page” and it will take you to a link to their pages. I know it’s a hard time financially for many people, but I also know a few dollars here and there from a lot of us will add up.

To find out how you can be more involved with our 24 hour celebration, contact Sandy at her email address above.

This is the verse I gave Sandy that I want to use for our weekend. It's Zepheniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God is with you, He is the mighty One to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

It’s less than three months to the big day…and as I said, I finally have something to really look forward to. I hope you’ll be there too.