 Cancer
in its many forms is a horrible disease, for which there
is no cure. Many people do not survive their battle with
cancer; on the other hand,those who do are invited to
the Relay For Life. “The third annual relay is a
big honor, especially for survivors”, as Dianne
Henderson, the head chairperson of the survivor’s
committee, put it. Cancer survivors from around New York,
who have been contact with the American Cancer Society,
find great pride in knowing they have survived their battles.
Relay for Life is a Volunteer operated, community based
overnight event, which has raised 80,000 for cancer in
the past year, and hopes to raise 100,000 this year.
As
explained by Calvin Martin, head chairmen for the American
Cancer Society, the purpose of the event is to bring the
community together in fight against cancer. The battle
is fought by bringing awareness to the community, especially
Harlem, where cancer is rampant. Most importantly, this
event raises money which goes to research for all types
of cancer.
The event took place at River Bank Park’s cultural
center. It began with the reception, which was held inside,
due to the poor whether.
Survivors raised money based on the amount of times they
walked around the track, in  Riverbank
Parks Athletic center, raising money with each mile. Participants
spend the night, and there is entertainment during the
evening such as music and card playing. The event went
until 10:00 am. Caterers from Harlem and lower part of
97thstreet donated their services.
John Prayer, a 76- year old retired florist, residing
at 45th street in Manhattan was just one of the empowered
survivors gathered at the relay ready to show their support.
Mr. Prayer is a 6 year Survivor of Kidney cancer and he
was there because, as he put it “ its such a thrill
to be alive. Mr. Prayer found hope in his family and God,
and still much hope to find a cure.
Another survivor story is from Gwendolyn Timmons, a retired
music teacher, living in Brooklyn. Gwendolyn has survived
breast cancer. Upon being diagnosed, she was shocked,
then accepted it. Gwendolyn was aided by her faith and
knowledge of people who survived. She also found support
in her choir, the NY coral society, who’s home is
in Carnegie hall. They found 10% of their members were
cancer survivors, and have become more aware about how
widespread cancer is.
Calvin
Martin played an active role as an official at this function,
and was also very honored to be there, being a survivor
of prostate cancer himself.
Calvin Martin resides here in Harlem and is the head chairperson
for the American Cancer Society, he strongly believes in
what this organization is trying to accomplish. He says,
“ if it wasn’t for research I wouldn’t
be alive”.
Mr.
Martin took his pursuit to raise awareness a step further,
by creating Brother to Brother. It is a support group in
Harlem for male cancer sufferers, which meets monthly.
Mr. Martin Strongly feels the African American community
needs to be more aware of the very real risk of developing
cancer, especially African American men, who are most likely
to get prostate cancer, and to get it earlier then their
Caucasian counterparts.
Calvin Martin is also the Grand Master at the predominantly
African American Prince Hall Mason’s Lodge in NY.
His participation in this event has encouraged other like
William Jordan Jr., who’s own parents had cancer,
to go and shows their support.
On
a personal level Calvin’s prostate cancer devastated
him. His survival was contingent on his decision to take
action. The other men he knew with cancer either found out
too late or did nothing and died. Now that he has survived
his caner, he works to ensure other cancer victims and survivors
do not remain as uninformed and passive, or feeling they
are alone.
One of the major pillars to this whole event was Dianne
Henderson. She is the head chairperson of the survivor committee.
Though she is not a survivor herself, she is very dedicated
to the goals this organization set out to accomplish. She
says some of the challenges of organizing such a large event
are “ getting everyone on one accord.
The commitment and participation of the officials, volunteers,
and survivors lead to a successful night, raising over $70,000.
Monifa White, special events manager for the American Cancer
Society’s Harlem office, thought the event was very
successful. She excitedly expressed “everyone was
excited and on the same page”. She feels it was a
“well organized event”. Participants told her,
despite the weather, they would be back next year, because
they had such a good time.
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