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June 23/09 - Relay Recap 2009

6/28/2011

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Relay Recap 2009
Category: Life 

Team Darrel participated in the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay For Life in 
Fergus on Friday June 12th.  This was our second year with an entry, and it was 
another emotional and successful night for all those involved.  It was an extra 
busy night for my family, as Lauren's ballet recital was the same weekend.  
Fortunately, the rehersal (Friday night) was also taking place at the same
venue as the Relay.  It took a bit of juggling around, but with a little help,
she got to where she needed to be, when she needed to be there.

Of course, being Canada, a hockey game did slightly intrude on the initial 
hours of the event.  Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Red Wings and 
Penguins was being played as well that night, and highlights would filter
around  the track to keep everyone informed.  I'm not the biggest of hockey fans 
anymore, but for many of those in attendance, you could tell they were  wishing
the Relay wasn't being held that particular evening.  They probably  would have
rather been watching the game with friends...with the TV remote in  one hand,
and a beer in the other, but to their credit, they honoured their commitment to
the Relay, and had their priorities in the correct order.

Unlike last year, the rain was not an issue, but it was still a damp and 
chilly night.  Though we planned for almost any kind of weather, there was no 
escape from the cold at some points.  As uncomfortable as this was, it did add 
to the atmosphere of the gathering.  Walking around the track at 3AM, with 
only the luminary candles that lined the course for light,  the effects of the 
damp chill seemed to be amplified.  With fewer people on the track at that
time, I felt helpless, isolated and alone at moments, even though family and 
friends weren't really that far away. 

It was impossible not to think of Darrel, laying on an examination bed at 
Sick Kids and/or Princess Margaret Hospital under going countless scans, 
procedures, and radiation treatments.  Tired from the early hour we had to get 
him ready to go at and the long drive there; Hungry from not being allowed to 
eat before certain tests; Scared and Confused, from not knowing or really 
understanding what was happening; Frustrated that he was being told he had to 
lie there perfectly still for lengthy periods of time; and of course, Pain, as 
the cancer was spreading around his tiny and ever more frail body.  Though he 
was always surrounded by the love of his family, I would not be surprised if he 
felt helpless and alone during many of those darker times.  If he was, Darrel 
never showed it, as he kept  those kind of feelings for the most part concealed 
from his family.

With the coming of the dawn, there was the much appreciated warmth of the 
sun, and the knowing that soon we would be able to go home.  As to be expected, 
it was an evening of highs and lows for us all.  12 hours isn't that much to
ask when everything the Relay represents is put into perspective.  From the 
Survivor's Victory lap to open the event, to the realization that each 
luminary was dedicated to someone touched by cancer, and to all that Darrel was 
subjected to in his much too short life, 12 hours is nothing to ask in 
comparison.

Though there weren't as many groups competeing this year, our local Relay 
For Life brought in over $44,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.  Team Darrel 
finished second overall, with $2581.00 in pledges.  On top of that, we raised
an additional $80.00 for the James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research through
button sales and other donations. 

I'd like to say thank you once again to everyone who supported and/or 
contributed to making this Relay a success.  An extra special thanks goes to:

Team Darrel 2009 Members - Kira, Lauren, John, Helen, Bryan, Kim, Janet, 
Sharon, and our last minute replacement Payge.

St. Joseph Catholic School - Mr. Zen, the staff and students, came through 
once again with a huge donation of $500.00 for Team Darrel.  Their continuing 
support of our family never ceases to amaze me.

Darryl, Steve, Janet and Kim - For bringing cookies and doing Tim Horton's runs through
the night to help keep us going.

Janet M - For the extra blankets when we couldn't shake off the early morning cold.

Thanks again everyone!!!
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    The majority of all these entries were written by Darrel's father, Stephen.  For those that are not, efforts have been made to give proper credit where it is due.

    The bulk of the posts are in the June 2011 Archives Section, as that is when I transferred them over to this site.  Category Tags should allow you to find entries easier.

    I've tried to correct spacing issues on many of the entries, as most of the older ones have been copied from different sites I've used in the past. I apologize if some have been overlooked.

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