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survivorship and patient services Relay For Life celebrates and supports survivors in your community Celebrating the lives of cancer survivors and offering them support is a key component of every Relay For Life event. All survivors, including people who have recently been diagnosed or are in treatment, are invited to not only attend the Relay event, but also a survivorship activity before the event. At this activity, survivors have an opportunity to meet other survivors, encourage each other, and learn about Society resources.  JoEllen Tucker (shown left) is a 32 year breast cancer survivor from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, who organizes a luncheon for the survivors of Dearborn County. She knows that the luncheon is a source of strength for survivors, where they can meet others who have been through similar situations.
"If they're just new in their journey, they are excited to see someone who has gone through what they've been through and they've made it," says JoEllen. "There's always someone there that has been where they have been, so if they need to draw strength then that's a good place to go." At the event, survivors get goodie bags with items such as a business card that highlights Society support services, a Relay T-Shirt, and a survivorship medal. The survivors also learn about the many resources that the Society has for patients and survivors, including our 24/7 toll free number, 1-800-ACS-2345; our website, www.cancer.org; the Cancer Survivor's Network, www.acscsn.org; and the Community Resources Database, a directory of resources for someone who is navigating through a cancer experience, which are available from the Society as well as state and community organizations. When it's over all of the attendees are invited to participate in the Relay For Life event, including walking in the survivor's lap.  Jackie Ball (shown right), a breast cancer survivor from Holland, Michigan, organizes a survivorship dinner in Allegan County, right before the Relay For Life event begins. At the Relay, Jackie always participates in the survivor's lap and invites other survivors to come so that they can experience it too. "It's emotional to see all those people as you're walking along that track, to see all those people you don't know that are clapping and cheering for you," she recalls. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."
She knows that some survivors are not comfortable with being in the lime light. "If you don't want to be in the survivor's lap, that's fine. Come and talk with other survivors." Jackie knows that survivors are the symbol of hope at Relays for our fight against cancer. "We're celebrating life," she says. "You're raising all this money and you're seeing the results by seeing survivors there," she explains. The number of people at her survivorship activity has grown over the years, as attendees are encouraged to spread the word. For survivors who may be hesitant to come to their area's Relay for the first time, Jackie says the best thing to do is to simply try it and see if you like it. To find your local Relay For Life, call 1-800-ACS-2345 to be transferred to your American Cancer Society area service center. Other articles in VOICES this month community focus: volunteers dispay teamwork and passion for new Relay events |
survivorship and patient services: young cancer survivors are invited to our fun-filled, annual summer camp |
research: people with personal cancer experiences help determine funding for Society research |
education: all women over 40 need mammograms, a government funded program may help with cost |
advocacy: meet Sharon Simmons, a survivor joining the Society's efforts in Washington DC |
advocacy: sign the 2015 petition, make your voice heard in Washington DC |
local area spotlight: Society staff partner with health organizations |
resource highlight: sign up now for action alerts to monitor cancer issues |
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