I can't even remember when I worked my first Relay for Life event. I believe it was in Southbridge, Massachusetts. I was with a little AM radio station where I did a weekly psychic radio show. This must have been more than ten years ago!
Shortly thereafter, I was asked to work at Relay for Life in Woodstock, CT, and then in Palinfield, CT. In Plainfield, I believe that some of my students are still volunteering their services each year!
The day I found out that my mother had stage four lung cancer happened to be the same day as Relay for Life in Plainfield, 2004. Prior to checking in to work my table I spent some time at the support tent. The information and "normalization" I recieved there was invaluable.
After moving to Florida, I was happy to have the opportunity to volunteer for Lake Worth Relay for Life. This year, I have been asked by the Young Professionals section (YPOP) of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches to work at their table, as part of their fundraising efforts in West Palm Beach.
That means that on May 21, from 10 pm-Midnight, right after Tarot Circle at Soma, I will make my way to the Meyer, just a block from my office in the Harvey building, and once again offer my time and talents in support of the American Cancer Society.
Little did I know, more than a decade ago when I worked my first Relay, that Relay for Life would become such a personal passion, and such a constant in my ever-changing career.