Coming at the end of this week is an opportunity to help our neighbors financially and emotionally.

It is the annual Pickens County Relay for Life and has become the central effort that many communities give to the battle against cancer.

It is usually considered by those viewing it from the outside as fundraiser, but insiders usually talk more about the awareness and support aspects of the event in the national effort to reduce cancer-related deaths.

As it has for several years, the Pickens County will take place at the old Liberty High School football stadium.

A survivor drop-in dinner: 5:30 p.m. Survivors and a care-giver are invited to the dinner to honor them prior to the Survivor lap and kickoff of the evening’s Relay events

Opening Ceremony: Time 7 p.m. The Opening Ceremony brings everyone together for a high-energy event kickoff to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, to inspire hope by sharing recent accomplishments and progress, and to remind everyone that while we are winning this battle, fighting cancer is a year-round priority.

Survivor Lap: Time: 7:15 p.m. During the Survivors Lap, upbeat music plays as all cancer survivors at the event take the first lap around the track cheered on by the other participants who line the track, celebrating their victory over cancer.

Luminary Ceremony: Time: 9 p.m. The Luminary Ceremony is a time to remember people we have lost to cancer, to support people who currently have cancer, and to honor people who have fought cancer in the past. The power of this ceremony lies in providing an opportunity for people to work through grief and find hope.

Closing Ceremony: Time: 7 a.m. The Closing Ceremony is a time to remember the lives of those lost and to celebrate that each of us has committed, through our participation in a Relay event, to fight back against this disease over the next year.

Sam’s Club is the presenting sponsor for the Relay for Life of Pickens County.

Most of us know someone who has struggled with cancer. Most of us has tasted a bit of the fear of hearing the diagnosis, “you have cancer” whether the malady has come to themselves or a loved one.

Financial support is important, but let’s not forget the value Friday of emotional and spiritual support those who have fought the fight and live with the potential of the future or who still daily deal with the physical drain of illness and cure.

It is easy to lose such a battle with loss of faith and spiritual energy to continue.

In covering a North Carolina Relay for Life, I quickly scribbled notes from the remarks of a prominent TV newscaster who stood on stage of the event as Master of Ceremonies. She spoke confidently, tearfully and energetically with a huge smile.

In the few minutes between her comments and the beginning of a survivor lap around the track, I rushed to meet her coming out the back stage door for a follow up question. I found her barely walking, needing assistance from her teenage daughter coming down steps. She appeared completely drained.

Spirit and emotion, had carried her in an effort to speak words of encouragement to the crowd through her illness.

Shortly the crowd of survivors swept her up and she marched on again in the energy of that collection of people, fight the good fight for another quarter mile.

Support your friends Friday.

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The Powdersville Post