Weather was a downer for ‘Relay'

WESTFALL — If the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life is notorious for anything other than a weekend of generous donations, “spirit games,” camping out and instilling hope in the face of cancer, it is bad and untimely weather. For the third year in a row, rain and thunderstorms sent relayers into their tents and even back home during the normally 24-hour event, which lasted about half that time this year when lightning knocked out the area’s electricity and forced participants to pack up and leave on Saturday, May 31. Apart from a brief shower after the Relay’s opening ceremony at 10 o’clock Saturday morning, community members, volunteers and Delaware Valley High School students enjoyed ideal weather during the daytime events. At least 20 teams registered for the fund raiser, which, now in it’s 15th year, brought in over $55,000 as of Tuesday, June 3. Teams competed in field events for spirit points, and the group with the highest amount wins the “Most Spirited” title. This year, the “Crazy Asians” team dominated over its peers. For DVHS senior Lizzy Blumberg and her family, Relay for Life became more an a rallying event for the community when she received word Saturday evening that her grandmother had just lost her ongoing battle against cancer. “In the past, relay was always just a fun thing to do with my friends. I would raise a lot of money but I never actually had a purpose,” said Blumberg. “When I found out my grandma had cancer, it felt like I had a real purpose to raise the money and more importantly, the cancer awareness. Blumberg was certainly not the only Relay participant to be personally affected by the weekend. Ryan Jameson, the student co-chairman of the relay, knew he wanted to volunteer with the event when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. “My mom battled cancer for one and a half years until she beat it,” said Jameson, a 12-year veteran of Relay, “and two of my grandparents and an uncle passed away from it. The message has just really hit home for me in a really personal way.” Around 6 p.m., activities were stopped when weather forecasts predicted a storm accompanied by hail and 50 mph winds quickly approaching the area. Participants were directed into the elementary school gym to wait out the rain. When lightning struck an electrical pole in front of Wal-Mart, however, the gym and Delaware Valley campus was plunged into further darkness until the Matamoras fire department provided flashlights. Even after the storm passed, much of Westfall remained without electricity, which meant no bathrooms, water, or lights around the campsite for Relay for Life members. The threat of more storms was also reported, so event organizers decided to send the campers home. Clouds cleared and daylight was beginning to fade when everyone filed out of the gym and onto the track for the luminaria ceremony. Bagged candles lined the perimeter of the track, scribbled with “I love you Mom”s and “Stay strong, Grandpa”, remembering loved ones lost to cancer and honoring those who survived. Cancer survivors took a lap around the circle, lighting bags and the candles of those waiting on the side lines. After respects were paid, participants cleared up their camp sites and headed home. Although this year’s Relay for Life was cut short, those involved agreed it was as powerful and meaningful as always. Track walking and running was halted after about nine hours, but according to Jameson, the fight against cancer will never cease until a cure is found.