Seventeen is a surreal age. It is that time in life where you would rather curl up in a hole before conforming to the expectations of others. Spending time with your parents takes the backseat to hanging out with friends, and the first tastes of freedom are sweeter than a snow-cone on a hot summer day. It's an age filled with dreams of driving down the highway with your hair blowing in the wind while singing a song at the top of your lungs and not a care and problem in the world could keep you away from doing whatever your heart desires...until you are that young, flourishing teenager who goes to the doctor for a routine checkup thinking you have the flu, when in reality, your entire body is under attack.
Two decades ago, Robin Schofield was one of a million Americans diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer. Her senior year of high school, Schofield was diagnosed with cervical cancer and thought that having to wear a wig to school and fighting an uphill battle was going to be one of the biggest challenges of her life. That was 1987. Today, at age 38, the North Myrtle Beach resident is a four-time cancer survivor who has the power to make a difference - one that could save the life of one of the 1.5 million Americans who will be newly diagnosed and undergo cancer treatments in the next calendar year.
Just like Schofield at the age of 17 - when she thought she would never have a brush with cancer - you could become part of the 20,740 South Carolinians whose lives will be completely turned upside down by the dreaded "C" word.
However, there is hope on the horizon through two very unlikely but increasingly popular weapons: a pair of sneakers and the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.
Friday and Saturday marks the second official Relay For Life event of the season at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. More than 470 students are signed up to do their part in the overnight event at CCU's on-campus track and to pay tribute to sophomore Katie Spellman who died of cancer on April 15. Last year's inaugural Relay For Life fundraiser at CCU grossed more than $36,418, earning the university South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society's South Carolina College Event of the Year Award.
IT'S A REVOLUTION
Never heard of the Relay For Life?
The Relay For Life is for many, an indescribable and emotionally-charged overnight 12-hour event designed to celebrate cancer survivorship and to raise funds for education, research and advocacy programs powered by the American Cancer Society. Teams of survivors, patients, families, friends, neighbors and businesses camp out at local high schools, stadiums, or parks and take turns walking around a track from dusk until dawn, which signifies the old saying "Cancer never sleeps."
"Participants always have an absolute blast. They get to meet new people in a fun environment, develop relationships, and in the process of it all, they are saving a life," said Schofield.
Developed in 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington colorectal surgeon, wanted to contribute to his local American Cancer Society and somehow show support for his patients by battling cancer in a new, unique way.
Dr. Klatt decided to use his love for marathon running to give back by spending a grueling 24 hours running more than 83 miles while more than 300 of his closest friends, family, patients and community members donated $25 to run or walk a 30 minute lap with him in the fight against cancer. That night, Klatt's efforts raised more than $27,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Relay For Life was born.
Twenty-three years and millions of participants later, the event has exploded in popularity across the nation, notably becoming the largest non-profit fundraising activity in U.S history. Around the world, nearly 2.25 million people participate in the Relay For Life in 19 other countries, including Australia, Jamaica, Ireland and Singapore.
Since its birth in 1985, the Relay For Life has developed into a community gathering that will impact more than 4,900 communities in this year alone. Nationwide, each Relay For Life event begins each year on a deeply emotional note when the track is cleared of all participants and a flood of men, women, and children in purple shirts with a giant survivors banner take to the track to walk the traditional "Survivor's Lap." Friends, family members, the community and caregivers cheer on cancer survivors as they walk to celebrate their strength and iron-will to beat a disease that takes the lives of thousands Americans each year. Caregivers then take to the track to walk with their loved ones in appreciation of the crucial role they play in the cancer battle and recovery process.
"Experiencing cancer is incomprehensible to the outside world unless it has been fought firsthand," said Schofield. "But when you kick the disease, it feels better than getting an A-plus on a hard test."
Dory Richardson, a cervical cancer survivor from Myrtle Beach, remembers her first survivor's lap at the 2007 Myrtle Beach Relay For Life as "overwhelming because [you] are a witness to so many people coming together for a cure."
"The very first time I walked my survivor's lap, I was the only person on my team who was a survivor," added Schofield, who will be walking her ninth survivor's lap in May in North Myrtle Beach. "I had some hesitation stepping out onto the track because I was so young, but an overwhelming feeling came over my body when I saw my community supporting me in the fight against cancer."
Hours after the relay is kicked off with the survivor and caregiver laps and the sun has set over the horizon, hundreds of lights begin to flicker around the track as luminary bags are lit to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer. Once the track illuminates the night sky, the luminary ceremony, often referred to as the "Ceremony of Hope," begins, allowing for a moment to remember those who have lost the battle, encourage those who are currently suffering, and to honor those who have fought the battle in the past.
THE WORD IS GETTING OUT
This weekend's Relay For Life at Coastal Carolina University isn't the only American Cancer Society fundraising event to impact the Grand Strand this spring.
"Closer to home, five communities in Horry County and Georgetown will be a part of the 4,800 communities sponsoring the American Cancer Society's signature event this year, including North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Coastal Carolina University, the South Strand and Georgetown," said American Cancer Society community manager Melany Mader.
So the world's largest non-profit fundraising event takes place right in the Grand Strand's backyard, but why should you care about the Relay For Life?
The facts alone are a big enough reason as to why thousands of Horry County residents, from 6-years to 80-years-old, participate in the event each year. Statistics from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) have revealed that every male in Horry County has a one-in-two chance of battling cancer, while females will face a one-in-three risk of developing the disease.
Because of this, thousands of Horry County residents realize that the fight against cancer can wait no longer. It is an immediate threat to the American public, which is why many choose to raise funds through relaying. Personal involvement on part of the local community is helping to save lives.
"Let's face it," said Schofield. "The odds are in our favor of being diagnosed with cancer, and it's our job to lower them."
But the essence of the Relay For Life is about more than raising money for a cure. It is about that single moment of experiencing and understanding the worth and value of life in a new, different way.
According to the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life allows all individuals an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who have survived cancer; to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease; and to fight back against a disease that takes too many lives. For the newly diagnosed, the relay is a healing experience that offers a chance to meet others who have claimed victory against cancer. For the caregivers who give their time, love and support to their friends and family who face cancer, the event provides an unprecedented amount of hope and understanding.
"Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated," said Mader.
Relay For Life is different from other fundraising events, said Schofield.
"Many charity events that I have been to fall under the same fundraising routine: You show up, raise money, they say goodbye and then its over. But the Relay experience is different," adds Schofield. "It's not just a big one year, one night event. The relay raises money throughout all 12 months, not just a select few. The support from the American Cancer Society with this fundraising effort continues to stay consistent year round by keeping all participants up-to-date with fundraising newsletters and gatherings."
THINGS ARE BREWING
Because of the diligent efforts on the Grand Strand community, the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society, serving the East Coast from Delaware to South Carolina, has confirmed that the agency has provided 50,771 services to cancer patients and their families through the Cancer Resource Network. That includes 9,928 nights of lodging to patients and their families at one-of-four Hope Lodges - a temporary home away from home for patients undergoing treatments, 3,644 visits from breast cancer survivors to breast cancer patients through the Reach To Recovery Program, 1,698 patients with makeup and hair techniques to help restore their appearance and self image during cancer treatments through the "Look Good...Feel Better" Program and 424 college scholarships to students who have survived childhood cancer.
In 2007, residents across the Grand Strand teamed up to contribute more than $500,000 to the American Cancer Society and its Relay For Life efforts. By 2015, the American Cancer Society is aiming to have doubled the number of lives saved from cancer, reduce cancer incidence by 25 percent, and impact quality of life from the time of diagnosis throughout the balance of life for all cancer survivors.
Sometimes, however, the bar must be raised. In 2008, the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society is expecting to see a $250,000 increase in fundraising efforts from Horry and Georgetown residents over 2007's level. All eyes are on Horry and Georgetown Counties to see if they can hit the goal of raising close to $1 million in this year alone via the Relay For Life.
From the sponsoring of 5K runs and hosting dinner events and live auctions, it is no surprise that relay teams across the Grand Strand are in overdrive to make sure they go the so-called "extra mile" to hit the 2008 contribution goal.
"There are teams that have done everything from attic sales, neighborhood cookouts and miniature golf tournaments," said Mader. "It is amazing to see how creative everyone has been
this year in their fundraising efforts. We still don't have a cure for cancer, so there is still a need raise money for the cause."
Throughout its 10-year presence on the Grand Strand, the Relay For Life has not only raised millions of dollars, but has provided Horry County with the opportunity to own the mission of one day eliminating cancer because it's about saving a life; it's about remembering; it's about someday finding a cure. That's the beauty of the Relay For Life that allows the Grand Strand area to come together as one and bond as a community.
"It's uplifting that people in my community want to find a cure [for cancer] and want to help other people," said second-year Relay participant and Myrtle Beach Relay For Life co-chair Richardson. "The outpour of love, concern and help from your local community members is indescribable."
FROM TREE TO TREE, FROM YOU TO ME
This year, more than 1,100 residents and college students will participate in the five Relay For Life events across Horry and Georgetown Counties throughout April and May. From North Myrtle Beach to Georgetown, each Relay For Life event across the Grand Strand is distinctive in its own, individual way. Curious about how the Relay is impacting your community? Take a look:
Conway: Conway kicked off the Relay season on April 18 on a historical note, as this year's relay raised a record-breaking amount of money. The first Relay on the Grand Strand took place at the Historical Courthouse in Conway, with an excess of 500 participants walking on the night of the event. Final tabulations on the exact amount of money raised was unavailable at press time.
Coastal Carolina University: The CCU Relay For Life is one of the newest relays to hit the Grand Strand, as the university's second event starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the university track and field complex.
CCU is home to more than five student and faculty cancer survivors, which makes the fight against cancer even more meaningful for the Chanticleers. This year's relay is shaping to be the most emotional event of all Relays across the Grand Strand, as CCU has just lost one of its own Chanticleers from the battle - the aforementioned Spellman, a sophomore political science major and Alpha Delta Pi sister who passed away from leukemia on April 15.
CCU has since been accepted to participate in the national "Colleges Against Cancer" program, sponsored in part by the American Cancer Society.
S.T.A.R., the student organization sponsoring the event, is hoping to surpass this year's donation goal of $50,000. More than 46 student organizations and community teams have jumped on board for the event, and the 453 participants have raised more than $20,000 in online donations alone, prior to the event.
North Myrtle Beach: Preparations for the North Myrtle Beach Relay For Life are underway, with the event slated to take place at the North Myrtle Beach High School track and field. With more than 11 teams signed up for the May 2 event, the relay has raised more than $14,389 in online pre-relay fundraising at press time.
Since the inaugural relay, North Myrtle Beach has produced teams only appropriately described as "diamonds in the rough." Through endless attic sales, cookouts and live auctions, Don Walton, owner of Fazoli's Italian Restaurant in North Myrtle Beach and his team of 28 participants and nine survivors have consistently been raising the fundraising bar for 20 years straight, racking in more than $17,000 in donations in the 2007 Relay season, alone. The Fazoli's Funtastics contributed 21 percent of the $81,095 raised in last year's North Myrtle Beach Relay, earning the team the American Cancer Society's Shining Star Award.
The Fazoli's Funtastics aren't the only NMB team making waves this year, as Sue Forrest and the Cancer Busters have raised a solid $13,000 for this year's relay.
"This Relay is important to me because I want to see a cure in my lifetime, but if it doesn't come in my years, I want to raise money to save someone else's life," said Forrest, a recent leukemia survivor.
Georgetown: Further down the Grand Strand, the Georgetown Relay For Life is being sponsored in part by Georgetown High School, where this year's Relay will take place on May 9. So far, more than 28 teams have raised in excess of $34,000. According to the American Cancer Society, the Georgetown relay has exceeded its corporate sponsorships for the year.
Myrtle Beach: The Myrtle Beach Relay For Life has a new home this year, as it paints Cal Ripken, Jr.'s Ripken Experience Baseball Complex purple on the weekend of May 16. This year, co-chairs Richardson and Howie Weinberg are hoping to hit the $100,000 mark and surpass the $85,840 the relay raised in 2007. Internet fundraising efforts alone has garnered $15,000-plus so far.
South Strand: The South Strand Relay For Life will be held at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base track and field on May 30. The Cedar Hill Landing Restaurant in Murrells Inlet has taken the responsibility of fighting cancer into its own hands this spring by sponsoring several Wait-A-Thons, landing the restaurant more than $6,900 in donations. Surpassing the restaurant's original goal of donating $2,000, the only goal the team has now is to be the number one fundraising team on the South Strand.
"What they are doing isn't a new idea in other places, but for the Grand Strand, it is a new idea here," said Mader. "It is something that every restaurant can participate in [to help fight cancer.]"
Teams for the North Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina University, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown and South Strand Relays are still forming, and community members may sign up as a single participant or form a team to walk for the 12-hour stretch of night.
To participate in Relay For Life, contact the Myrtle Beach American Cancer Society office at 213-0333 or sign-up at www.screlayforlife.org. To become a corporate sponsor at your local Relay For Life event on the Grand Strand, contact the American Cancer Society at 213-0333.
By Meghan Miller