Miscellaneous
Relay for Life Leadership and Luminaria Speech
During my senior year of high school, I was Luminaria co-chair for our high school's Relay for Life, which was at the time, one of the largest Relay for Life events in Ohio. Luminaria is a ceremony of remembrance and hope that is conducted shortly after dark where candles and Luminaria bags are lit up as a way to honor those who have lost their battle to cancer.
As co-chair, one of my responsibilities was to help conduct the Luminaria speech in which we honored both those we have lost to cancer, those still struggling in the fight against cancer and those who have won the fight against cancer. We spoke briefly, then had a survivor speak about their experiences fighting cancer and had everyone participating in the event come up to the stage and tell everyone who they were participating in the event for.
Watch a clip of my speech below.
"Our track is illuminated by Luminaria bags. Each represents a treasured relationship. They each represent people with a story to tell. They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and relatives. We remember and celebrate each of them, while we fight back against this disease for them. As these Luminaria glow through the night, they represent our shared vision of a cancer free future."