Relaying the impact of cancer at Lawrence Woodmere Academy

Cancer: a six-letter word with more meaning than any of us can conceive. In one-way or another, cancer has touched all of our lives.

On April 28, members of Lawrence Woodmere Academy’s Helping Hands Club, a student- and faculty-run service-learning club, took part in Relay for Life, what the American Cancer Society considers its “signature fundraiser” that is run by an army of volunteers in thousands of communities across the United States and in 27 countries.

“Volunteers give of their time and effort because they believe it’s time to take action against cancer,” it states on the society’s website.
Students and teachers gathered at Hofstra University dressed from head to toe in purple. Family and friends gathered in support.

The event began with honoring all of the survivors and caregivers that were present. Students took turns walking around the field, and the number of students that joined from Hofstra was truly astounding. Participants could donate $10 to create a luminaria in honor of someone.

As the sun set, luminarias were lit. Everyone gathered at the front of the field where we listened to a story from a student. She described her experience with cancer. Her brother was diagnosed with cancer at an early age. She described the “new normal” that she now had to live as a young girl. Friends, family, and strangers came together to support her family. Tears formed in her eyes when the words left her mouth that her brother had survived.

We walked around the luminarias in complete silence. Tears were shed and hugs were given. Amazing opportunities like these make LWA the unique place that it is. We were enlightened about the effects cancer has on people, and we will never be the same.

In the next two months there are five Relays for Life planned for communities on the South Shore. May 5 in Bellmore, May 11 in Merrick, May 18 in Valley Stream, June 1 in Franklin Square and June 2 in Rockville Centre. To learn more and attend these events, go to relay.acsevents.org.